Scientists Start Working with Data through the Rubin Science Platform
Rubin Observatory launched its first “Data Preview” to scientists in June 2021. This is the first in a series of three data previews that will happen before full science operations begin. The goal is to make sure all Rubin systems are ready by the time science operations begin, and also to make sure the science community is prepared to access and work with Rubin data.
This preview used simulated data prepared by one of the Rubin Science Collaborations (the Dark Energy Science Collaboration). It was designed to resemble the data that Rubin will produce during the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). Scientists get this data through the Rubin Science Platform, a user-friendly online portal developed specifically to help scientists access and analyze Rubin data.
The group of scientists selected to participate in this data preview was limited to 300 people to avoid overloading systems that are still in development. A diverse group of participants was chosen to align with Rubin’s commitment to research inclusion. We’ll increase participation over the course of the data preview series, until all scientists with data rights have an account on the Rubin Science Platform (by the time full science operations begin).