Meet Mario Jurić, a renowned professor and Senior Data Science Fellow at the University of Washington, who is revolutionizing the field of astronomy with his groundbreaking work on the Vera C. Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). With his expertise in data science and astronomy, Jurić is leading one of the most ambitious surveys ever undertaken, aiming to map the entire Southern night sky every three nights over the next decade. This project, known as LSST, will provide a versatile and accessible dataset, offering unprecedented insights into the universe, from the Solar System to the mysteries of dark energy.
Jurić's journey into the world of astronomy began with a realization during his graduate studies. He discovered that he had estimated distances to an astonishing 48 million stars in one of his early papers, a feat that was nearly 700 times more than any previous paper on a similar topic. This realization came at a pivotal moment in the history of observational astronomy, as the field was transitioning to a new era of digital surveys, enabling the exploration of an unprecedented number of celestial objects.
One of the most exciting aspects of LSST, according to Jurić, is its potential to revolutionize our understanding of the Solar System. With the Rubin Observatory's 8.4-meter telescope, he expects to double the number of known asteroids in the next year and a half, and even triple them by the end of the survey. Moreover, LSST has the potential to uncover almost a factor of 7 more trans-Neptunian objects and a factor of 2 more potentially hazardous asteroids.
Jurić's interest in the Solar System extends beyond asteroids and comets. He is particularly intrigued by the formation and composition of our own Solar System, including the birth locations of our planets and their migration patterns. He believes that with the influx of discoveries from LSST and complementary surveys in the Northern Hemisphere, these questions will be answerable in the next three years. In fact, LSST has already delivered record-breaking results, discovering over 11,000 new asteroids in just its first 1.5 months of operations.
Jurić's passion for astronomy and data-intensive surveys is rooted in the digital revolution that occurred at the turn of the century. He credits the rise of software as a critical component in astronomy, alongside telescopes and cameras. This shift marked a turning point in his career, propelling him towards large-scale surveys that required significant advancements in computing.
Despite his success, Jurić encourages students to be cautious when joining large projects with long-term payoffs. He advises them to pursue novel or out-of-the-box projects where they can see immediate results and know if their ideas have succeeded or not within a few years. This approach, he believes, is the right risk to take in a field where knowledge is constantly evolving.
As LSST continues to make groundbreaking discoveries, Jurić remains busy, but he makes time for his family and hobbies. He is excited to share some of the first Solar System discoveries and results with Rubin at the upcoming AAS248 conference, emphasizing the importance of not letting the universe keep its secrets from us.
