Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology
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ALT A simulation of the formation of dark matter structures from the early universe until today. The detailed visualization of a cosmic web, showcasing filaments of dark matter interspersed with glowing galaxies. The image highlights the large-scale structure of the universe, with various bright spots representing galaxy clusters connected by wispy, thread-like structures.(Ralf Kaehler/SLAC)
ALT Four individuals in cleanroom suits and masks stand around a scientific instrument hanging from above. They are wearing blue gloves and are inside a laboratory setting. The environment is clean and sterile, suggesting advanced scientific research. From left, SLAC research technical manager Concetta “Tina” Cartaro, staff scientist Paul Brink, senior staff scientist Richard Partridge and Santa Clara University physics professor Betty Young with the fourth, and final, SuperCDMS tower, in the SLAC Building 033 clean room. (Jacqueline Ramseyer Orrell/SLAC)
ALT A vast starry sky features numerous galaxies of various shapes and sizes, swirling amidst countless stars. The image showcases vibrant celestial formations, including spirals and elliptical galaxies, set against the deep blackness of space. (NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA)
ALT A person in protective clothing stands next to a large, cylindrical scientific instrument inside a cleanroom. The instrument, known as LUX-ZEPLIN, is surrounded by various cables and equipment. Bright lighting reflects off the metallic walls. (Matthew Kapust/Sanford Underground Research Facility)
ALT The LZ central detector in the clean room at Sanford Underground Research Facility after assembly, before beginning its journey underground. Credit: Matthew Kapust/Sanford Underground Research Laboratory
ALT A blanket of snow covers the ground outside NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in August 2026 following a winter storm. Image credit: NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA
ALT A dense field of countless pinpoint stars fills the frame against the deep black of space, creating a fine, grainy texture like fine sand spread across a smooth table. Dozens of particularly bright stars in blue, yellow, and orange glitter across the scene like jewels. Wispy, grayish clouds of galactic dust drift across the center and right sides of the image, appearing soft and powder-like against the dark background. Scattered throughout the entire scene are stars and faint objects in shades of blue, yellow, and red. Some appear as sharp, solid points, while others are soft, diffuse smudges. Zooming in reveals that many of these tiny, faint smudges scattered between the stars are actually distant galaxies, varying from smooth, pebble-like blobs to faint, stretched lines.
ALT Banner for the Rubin Community Workshop displayed outdoors with trees and a building in the background.
ALT Modern building with large windows and an entry sign reading 'SLAC Science and User Support Building' surrounded by landscaping.
ALT Volunteers at a registration table in a spacious lobby assisting attendees checking in.
ALT Rubin Director Bob Blum giving a status update at the 2026 Rubin Community Workshop in a lecture hall filled with attendees on their laptops.
ALT A complex entanglement of three interacting galaxies, bright cores lined up left to right and connectied by spiderweb-like tendrils. The background is black, sprinkled with countless galaxies and stars of varying colors and sizes.
ALT Two interacting galaxies, one larger and blue and the other smaller and more yellow. The background is sprinkled with stars and galaxies of varying colors and sizes.
ALT Two interacting galaxies at center, bright cores lined up upper left to lower right and connected by spiderweb-like tendrils. The background is black, sprinkled with countless galaxies and stars of varying colors and sizes.
ALT Two interacting galaxies at center, with cores and extended tendrils of stars in a thin horizontal line. The background is black, sprinkled with countless galaxies and stars of varying colors and sizes.
ALT Star-filled teal night sky with turquoise glowing band, scattered “DATA ALERT” tags, and a white icon of the Rubin Observatory atop dark mountains. This artist’s illustration represents the start of the alert stream from NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory. The summit facility is shown on a rocky ridge. The night sky features stars and the glittering band of the Milky Way Galaxy. The sky is populated with multiple alert “pings,” representing individual alerts from Rubin that something in the sky has changed in brightness or position. Different icons represent various types of alerts, including asteroids, supernovae, active galactic nuclei, and variable stars. (NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA/P. Marenfeld/J. Pinto)
ALT Josh Frieman and Risa Wechsler in the Rubin Control Room at SLAC. Six computer monitors behind them show images of Rubin Observatory and various cosmic phenomena. (Jacqueline Orrell/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory)
ALT Large boot-shaped observatory with a massive telescope dome reflecting orange and golden sunset light atop its rocky mountain site.
ALT Large boot-shaped observatory with a massive telescope dome atop its rocky mountain site, with the golden glow of sunset over the rolling peaks in the distance.
ALT Large boot-shaped observatory on a rocky mountain peak during a vibrant sunset with layered mountain ranges in the background.
ALT Drone shot of a massive teal telescope within an observatory's dome with a vertical opening, surrounded by winding mountain roads and dry terrain.
ALT A person looks at multiple screens showing the focal plane of Rubin observatory and data coming in, a photo of the observatory is up on the wall behind the computer monitors inside SLAC’s Rubin Observatory control room at the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology. Credit: Jacqueline Ramseyer Orrell/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
ALT The NSF-DOE Rubin Observatory atop Cerro Pachon, in Chile, with blue-tinted mountain ridges in the background and a yellow glow from the Sun. Credit: Olivier Bonin/SLAC