The 570-Megapixel Dark Energy Camera Takes its First Shots

The Dark Energy Survey is a collaboration of scientists and institutions from across the globe designed to help understand the force that's causing the universe to expand. They're doing this, in part, with the help of a brand new 570-megapixel camera that captured its first image last week.

It's not just the camera though, or the massive Victor M. Blanco telescope to which it's mounted - there are accessories too. To be specific, the Dark Energy Camera utilizes five different filters, each of which is the size of a manhole cover. Each of the filters is a different shade of blue, green or red, while one is an infrared filter to pick up the things the human eye cannot. All together, it's an awe inspiring unit.

Click the photo above for a larger view.