"Mind-Boggling 360-Degree Space Photo: Observatory or Alien Planet?"

A stunning 360-degree image captured from Chile's Cerro Pachón mountain showcases the Rubin Auxiliary Telescope, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, and the Milky Way, presenting the scene as a photosphere that resembles a planet. The Rubin Observatory, set to begin its decade-long Legacy Survey of Space and Time in August, will utilize a 3,200-megapixel camera to conduct nightly surveys of the Southern Hemisphere's night sky, aiming to identify celestial movements and discover billions of galaxies and stars. Astrophotographer Petr Horálek captured the image using a Canon Ra camera and Sigma 35mm lens, highlighting the epic history of astronomy and the observatory's groundbreaking potential.