Press Releases

Artist’s illustration of asteroid 2025 MN45

Science Release: 7 Jan. 2026 — noirlab2601

NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory Spots Record-Breaking Asteroid in Pre-Survey Observations

Astronomers analyzing data from NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory, jointly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science, have discovered the fastest-ever spinning asteroid with a diameter over half a kilometer — a feat uniquely enabled by Rubin. The study provides crucial information about asteroid composition and evolution, and demonstrates how Rubin is pushing the boundaries of what we can discover within our own Solar System.
Opening of the Windows on the Universe Center for Astronomy Outreach, the first science center located inside a telescope

Organization Release: 17 Dec. 2025 — noirlab2534

New Public Science Center Opens at Kitt Peak National Observatory

Windows on the Universe Center for Astronomy Outreach is a new science education and astronomy outreach center that has just opened at U.S. National Science Foundation Kitt Peak National Observatory, a Program of NSF NOIRLab.
Most luminous fast blue optical transient

Science Release: 16 Dec. 2025 — noirlab2533

Bright Blue Cosmic Outbursts Likely Caused by Large Black Holes Shredding Massive Companions

In 2024, astronomers discovered the brightest Luminous Fast Blue Optical Transient (LFBOT) ever observed. LFBOTs are extremely bright flashes of blue light that shine for brief periods before fading away. New analysis of this record-breaking burst, which includes observations from the International Gemini Observatory, funded in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation, challenges all prior understanding of these rare explosive events.
Comet 3I/ATLAS on 26 November 2025

Photo Release: 12 Dec. 2025 — noirlab2532

Gemini North Color Images Reveal Greenish Glow of Comet 3I/ATLAS

Gemini North captured new images of Comet 3I/ATLAS after it reemerged from behind the Sun on its path out of the Solar System. The data were collected during a Shadow the Scientists session — a unique outreach initiative that invites students around the world to join researchers as they observe the Universe on the world’s most advanced telescopes.
Artist’s illustration of GRB 250702B

Science Release: 8 Dec. 2025 — noirlab2531

Gemini and Blanco Telescopes Unlock Clues to Origin of Longest Gamma-ray Burst Ever Observed

Astronomers have observed the longest-ever gamma-ray burst — a powerful, extragalactic explosion that lasted over seven hours. Rapid follow-up observations with the U.S. Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera and the International Gemini Observatory, funded in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation and operated by NSF NOIRLab, provided crucial information about the possible origin of this extraordinary event and the galaxy that hosts it.

Images of the Week

Fireball Flies Above Gemini North

14 Jan. 2026 — iotw2602

Fireball Flies Above Gemini North
Catching Light Day and Night

7 Jan. 2026 — iotw2601

Catching Light Day and Night
Warning: Planets Crossing!

31 Dec. 2025 — iotw2553

Warning: Planets Crossing!
Moonset Above Rubin

24 Dec. 2025 — iotw2552

Moonset Above Rubin
Star Trails and Rockets Above Hawai‘i

17 Dec. 2025 — iotw2551

Star Trails and Rockets Above Hawai‘i
Happy Holidays 2025

10 Dec. 2025 — iotw2550

Happy Holidays 2025
Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) over Hawai‘i

3 Dec. 2025 — iotw2549

Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) over Hawai‘i
A Green Flash Flight

26 Nov. 2025 — iotw2548

A Green Flash Flight
Cloudy with a Chance of Star Formation

19 Nov. 2025 — iotw2547

Cloudy with a Chance of Star Formation
Rubin, the Moon, and the Milky Way

12 Nov. 2025 — iotw2546

Rubin, the Moon, and the Milky Way

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Korean flag raising at Gemini Observatory

26 Nov. 2025

25 Years of Gemini Part II: What Makes Gemini Observatory International Today?

In part two of our Gemini 25th Anniversary series, we dive into the international collaboration that helped establish the legacy of the International Gemini Observatory, and that now helps to shape its future. The International Gemini Observatory consists of twin 8.1-meter telescopes located in Chile and Hawai‘i. It is funded in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation and operated by NSF NOIRLab.
Observations Begins

19 Nov. 2025

25 Years of Gemini Part I: The Origin of the International Gemini Observatory

In celebration of 25 years since the completion of the International Gemini Observatory, supported in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation and operated by NSF NOIRLab, we reflect on how Fred Gillett’s passion for infrared astronomy built the foundation for the Gemini project, and how its implementation necessitated a scientifically motivated and united international community. This is part one of the NOIRLab Stories Blog series for Gemini Observatory’s 25th anniversary.
DESI Observing

17 Oct. 2025

DESI and the History of the Universe

Astronomer Tod Lauer reflects on his recent visit to the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter telescope where the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument is on a mission to map the Universe and uncover the secrets of dark energy. The Mayall is located at NSF Kitt Peak National Observatory, a Program of NSF NOIRLab, near Tucson, Arizona.
First Photons in the Rubin control room at SLAC

18 Sept. 2025

Remote Eyes on the Sky: Inside SLAC’s Rubin Control Room

In the Rubin control room at SLAC, scientists watched in awe as the very first image captured by the LSST Camera appeared on their screens. With full operations set to begin this fall, the SLAC control room is becoming a vital hub for training, remote observing, and real-time support.
Vera Rubin

8 Sept. 2025

Vera C. Rubin and Her Work at Kitt Peak

Astronomer Vera Florence Cooper Rubin knew many things to be true. One, that a person may enjoy ice cream cones while reshaping humanity’s understanding of itself and the cosmos, she tested empirically. But another, and perhaps the most important, that we all have equal permission to do science, she proved by example during her long career as a scientist, professor, and advocate who fought for everyone’s right to take part in expanding our knowledge of the Universe.

Our Programs

Logo of the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory

From the first observations in 1965, Cerro Tololo, located in Chile, has served as the principal platform for U.S. astronomical investigation of the southern skies.

Logo of the Community Science and Data Center

Programs within the Community Science and Data Center support and enable a broad range of astronomical community science activities across the US ground-based optical and infrared system.

Logo of the Kitt Peak National Observatory

Founded in 1958, Kitt Peak National Observatory is home to one of the largest arrays of optical and radio telescopes in the world.

Logo of the International Gemini Observatory

The Gemini Observatory consists of twin 8.1-meter diameter optical/infrared telescopes located on two of the best observing sites on the planet.

Logo of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory

Vera C. Rubin Observatory, currently under construction on Cerro Pachón in Chile, is an 8-meter-class telescope coupled to a 3.2-gigapixel camera – the world’s largest digital camera ever fabricated for optical astronomy.