The European Southern Observatory's VISTA telescope in Chile has successfully integrated the 4MOST spectroscopic survey system, obtaining its first observational data on October 18, 2025. This new spectroscopic survey telescope, utilizing 2,436 optical fibers, can simultaneously capture spectral information from thousands of celestial objects, ushering in a new phase of large-scale cosmic exploration.

Dr. Rolof de Jong, principal investigator of the project at the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics, stated, "This is an outstanding achievement, thanks to our excellent development team. The first data is already impressive. Capturing light that has traveled for billions of years in a fiber as thin as a human hair is almost unbelievable." The spectroscopic survey telescope analyzes 18,000 color components to resolve the temperature, motion, and chemical composition of celestial bodies.

The project, spanning over a decade, unites the scientific efforts of 30 research institutions from Europe and Australia. 4MOST will conduct 25 major scientific programs, including large-scale surveys of extragalactic time-domain objects. The telescope is equipped with a nearly one-meter-wide optical camera providing a wide field of view, complemented by an adjustable fiber array that allows repositioning of observation targets every 10–20 minutes.

The official operation of this spectroscopic survey telescope will provide new data for studying the formation of the Milky Way, galaxy evolution, and dark matter distribution. Over its planned 15-year operational cycle, the 4MOST spectroscopic survey telescope is expected to drive breakthrough advancements in astrophysical research.