Rubin Observatory's First Image Reveals Thousands of Previously Unknown Asteroids

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile released its first image, revealing a staggering 2,104 previously unknown asteroids, including seven near-Earth objects. This surpasses five times the number of asteroids discovered in the last 200 years. Equipped with the world's largest digital camera, the observatory will capture massive high-resolution images of the southern sky every three nights. The ability to record asteroid movement as 'movies' is crucial for planetary defense, enabling better study of asteroid movements and timely detection of potential threats.