KIPAC's Rubin Observatory Public Engagement Series Kicks Off in San Mateo!

The first in our 2026 lecture series kicked off with a sold out event at the College of San Mateo Planetarium
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Josh Shiode
Rubin First Look image being shown on planetarium dome
KIPAC Graduate Student Theo Schutt shows Rubin First Look image on the dome of the College of San Mateo planetarium dome at our first 2026 Rubin Series lecture (credit: Xinnan Du, KIPAC).

In 2026, KIPAC is launching a new Rubin Series of public engagement activities in partnership with local community organizations. In our first lecture, a collaboration with the San Mateo County Astronomical Society (SMCAS), at the College of San Mateo Planetarium, KIPAC Graduate Student Theo Schutt shared the incredible First Look images, their unique experiences supporting the telescope, including living in Chile during commissioning and the technical work one has to do to make the camera take high-quality images that can fulfill the ambitious science goals of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. The event was sold out, with more than 70 people in attendance. 

If you missed the event, you can watch it on the SMCAS YouTube Channel.

Graduate Student at podium giving lecture in planetarium
KIPAC Graduate Student Theo Schutt discusses the Rubin First Look image with the sold out crowd at the College of San Mateo Planetarium (credit: Xinnan Du, KIPAC)
Rubin Control Room image being shown on planetarium dome
KIPAC graduate student Theo Schutt shows the audience a view of the Rubin control room and shares what it's like working at the telescope (credit: Xinnan Du, KIPAC).
Student at podium giving lecture to audience
KIPAC Graduate Student Theo Schutt talks to the audience at College of San Mateo Planetarium (credit: Xinnan Du, KIPAC)

The next event in our series will be on April 23 at the De Anza College Planetarium, featuring KIPAC-Rubin Fellow John Franklin Crenshaw! 

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