Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
MOONS has captured its first light, almost one thousand objects in a single observation. No astronomy instrument has ever done this before.
After more than a decade of international collaboration, MOONS collected its first spectra at the Very Large Telescope at the European Southern Observatory in Paranal. We are enormously proud of the team at the UK Astronomy Technology Centre, this is one of the most ambitious instruments ever built.
MOONS observes almost one thousand stellar objects, (stars and galaxies) at once, from the optical to the infrared wavelengths – collecting vast amounts of data that will help us understand how the Milky Way was formed and evolved, and how galaxies and stars have changed across cosmic history.
Its first observation has already seen what has never before been seen, peering through the dust that obscures large parts of our galaxy. By collecting vast volumes of data, MOONS will allow us to build a statistical, and three dimensional, map of the Universe.
MOONS will provide significant datasets for astronomical research for generations, thank you to the huge effort of the UK ATC team and all our international colleagues. First light demonstrates the success of collaboration with over ten institutes across six countries; engineers, technical specialists, astronomers, researchers and scientists.
Thank you to all, for more: ukatc.stfc.ac.uk/news/a-thousand-eyes-on-the-universe-moons-takes-first-look-into-the-heart-of-the-milky-way
Follow us ⬇︎⬇︎
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MOONS has captured its first light, almost one thousand objects in a single observation. No astronomy instrument has ever done this before.
After more than a decade of international collaboration, MOONS collected its first spectra at the Very Large Telescope at the European Southern Observatory in Paranal. We are enormously proud of the team at the UK Astronomy Technology Centre, this is one of the most ambitious instruments ever built.
MOONS observes almost one thousand stellar objects, (stars and galaxies) at once, from the optical to the infrared wavelengths – collecting vast amounts of data that will help us understand how the Milky Way was formed and evolved, and how galaxies and stars have changed across cosmic history.
Its first observation has already seen what has never before been seen, peering through the dust that obscures large parts of our galaxy. By collecting vast volumes of data, MOONS will allow us to build a statistical, and three dimensional, map of the Universe.
MOONS will provide significant datasets for astronomical research for generations, thank you to the huge effort of the UK ATC team and all our international colleagues. First light demonstrates the success of collaboration with over ten institutes across six countries; engineers, technical specialists, astronomers, researchers and scientists.
Thank you to all, for more: ukatc.stfc.ac.uk/news/a-thousand-eyes-on-the-universe-moons-takes-first-look-into-the-heart-of-the-milky-way
Follow us ⬇︎⬇︎
facebook.com/ScienceAndTechnologyFacilitiesCouncil
instagram.com/bigscience_stfc
linkedin.com/company/stfc
