Technical documentation

Rubin's technical documentation is searchable via the lsst.io service.

This page provides quick links to the most popular technical documents for scientists.

Data products documentation

Every data release has its own documentation and accompanying tutorials.

Future data releases

The plans for future data processing and data products.

• Data Products Definitions Document (DPDD)
• DPDD Abridged (DOI-citable)
• Data Previews 1 and 2

Recent data releases

Simulated data are available as Data Preview 0 (DP0; dp0.lsst.io).

• Data Preview 0.2: dp0-2.lsst.io
• Data Preview 0.3: dp0-3.lsst.io

Past data releases

• Data Preview 0.1: dp0-1.lsst.io (deprecated)

The Rubin Science Platform

The Rubin Science Platform (RSP) is the online service that gives users access to the Rubin data products, and provides tools and computational resources for processing and analysis.

• rsp.lsst.io

The LSST Science Pipelines

The LSST Science Pipelines are the open-source software packages that Rubin Data Management creates, maintains, and runs in order to provide science users with calibrated, science-ready images and catalogs.

• pipelines.lsst.io

Developer guide

This guide for Rubin staff is openly available so that others can understand how the data management system (and related documentation) is built.

• developer.lsst.io

LSST survey strategy

The LSST survey strategy is optimized by simulating operations with the scheduler software and applying metrics contributed by the science community.

• survey-strategy.lsst.io

Citizen science projects

Guidelines and tutorials for scientists using citizen science and the Zooniverse as tools for science with the Rubin data products.

• citizen-science.lsst.io (coming soon)

Policy documents

Policies that apply to all science users of the Rubin data products, tools, and services.

• Rubin Data Policy (RDO-013)
• The RSP's Acceptable Use Policy
• How to cite Rubin Observatory

Construction-era documentation

Original design and requirements documents

A selection of documents that were used to guide or describe the construction of the Rubin Observatory and its data products, tools, and services.

• Science Requirements Document (LPM-17)
• Data Management System Requirements (LSE-61)
• Science Platform Vision Document (LSE-319)
• Data Products Definition Document (LSE-163)
• Use cases and science requirements on a user batch facility (DMTN-202)

Search by keyword in Rubin technical documentation.

The LSST Science Book, 2009

Find the original vision for Rubin Observatory in the LSST Science Book, Volume 2 (2009).

The ls.st service

Only Rubin staff may use this service to create new custom shortlinks, but anyone may use the links to access technical documentation by name.

For example, the DPDD can be found at ls.st/dpdd. And a Rubin Tech Note (RTN) or Data Management Tech Note (DMTN) can be found by name with, e.g., ls.st/dmtn-102 (or dmtn-102.lsst.io).

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