New Delhi, Dec. 31 -- From the "first light" of the world's largest sky survey to the first tipping point in renewable energy production, 2025 is likely to be remembered as a year of many firsts in the world of science.

As the year draws to a close, we take a look at some of the biggest science stories of the year, and why they matter.

After over a decade of anticipation, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory opened its shutter this year, capturing its first light from Chile.

Named after the American astronomer who pioneered work on galaxy rotation rates, the observatory, which sports a 3,200-megapixel camera-the largest ever constructed-promises a look at the universe like never before.

Unlike telescopes that focus on one target of observati...