On December 20, 2019, the U.S. designated the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.
On December 20, 2019, U.S. legislation was enacted to designate the large synoptic survey telescope project in Chile as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. This landmark decision made Rubin the first woman to have a major national astronomical observatory named in her honor, recognizing her foundational work in dark matter research. The observatory is expected to play a critical role in future astronomical discoveries, continuing Rubin's legacy of advancing our understanding of the universe. The naming honors her groundbreaking scientific contributions and her commitment to equality in the sciences.