cover image by k.2SSD
If there were a camera that could take in the vast universe at a glance, how remarkable would its performance be? In fact, this April, the largest digital camera in history was born.
The Largest Digital Camera in History
In the early 1990s, some scientists dreamed of developing a telescope that could take in a wide range of the universe, greatly advancing astronomy and astrophysics. They hoped the new telescope would provide clues to unravel the mysteries of dark matter.
To realize this dream, the LSST Corporation was established in 2003, and by 2007, it had raised a total of $30 million, approximately 3.3 billion yen, from prominent philanthropists like Charles Simonyi and Bill Gates, advancing the installation of the mirror, a major component of the telescope.
Global Teamwork
Subsequently, the LSST Corporation received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Energy (DOE) in 2010, officially commencing the construction of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST). The construction sought global cooperation, and by 2015, the construction of a large-scale facility to house the telescope began in Cerro Pachón, Chile. Parts continued to be manufactured in many countries, and the telescope was steadily assembled.
Achieving an Astonishing 3,200 Megapixels
After about 20 years, the world's largest digital camera, the LSST Camera, was completed in April 2024.
The camera boasts a weight of 3,000 kilograms and 3.2 billion pixels. Compared to the medium format camera Leica S3, it has approximately five times the resolution, with the astonishing ability to capture the vast universe in detail. The sensor can capture tens of thousands of stars and galaxies at once, boasting significantly higher sensitivity and precision compared to ordinary cameras.
Contributing to the Future of Astronomy and Data Collection
Over the next decade, the LSST Camera will observe the southern sky more than 800 times, capturing dynamic images of the universe. Scientists plan to use the LSST Camera to analyze the complex structures of the universe, the distribution of dark matter, and the movement of asteroids.
Technology has expanded the realm of human perception, allowing for the discovery of phenomena never seen before. The advancement of camera technology contributes to our understanding of the unknown realm of space and serves as a powerful tool for continued new discoveries.
