The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is set to unveil its first set of images on June 23, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the field of astronomy. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) will host a watch party for both staff and the public to witness this historic event.

Everyone is invited to attend the watch party at the University of California Livermore Collaboration Center. Doors will open at 7:30 a.m. PDT, with light refreshments available. The first look unveiling event will kick off via livestream at 8 a.m., featuring speakers, the image reveal, and a discussion followed by a media Q&A session lasting 90 minutes.

Situated on a mountaintop in Chile, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory will conduct a 10-year sky scan to create an ultra-wide, ultra-high-definition time-lapse record of the universe known as the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). Named after astronomer Vera Rubin, who made significant contributions to the study of dark matter, the Observatory is equipped with the LSST Camera, the largest digital camera ever constructed. LLNL collaborated with SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory to build the camera and played a key role in designing major optical components.

LLNL researchers are heavily involved in the LSST data processing pipeline, leading working groups within the LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration. The Laboratory was a founding member of this collaboration.

Watch parties are expected to be held at various partner institutions, planetariums, museums, libraries, universities, and organizations across the U.S., Chile, and globally.