2023-11-13 14:59:00
The European Space Agency (ESA) has just released the first five images from the Euclid space telescope launched in July to study the expansion of the Universe. With a diameter of 1.2 m, this machine offers an exceptional field of vision in astronomy. This is why, in addition to their astonishing beauty, these photos reveal details with unprecedented precision thanks to an imager observing in visible light and a near infrared spectro-imager (NISP).
Stunning beauty and unparalleled precision
The first mind-blowing photo is that of the Perseus galaxy cluster, one of the most massive in the Universe: a thousand galaxies… and an additional 100,000 in the background. The second image shows the dwarf and irregular galaxy NGC 6822 whose stars appear in the form of “clouds”, typical of young galaxies. The third image is a globular cluster NGC 6397 that only the Euclid telescope is capable of observing in its entirety while detailing many of its stars.
In the fourth photograph captured by the NISP appears the spiral galaxy IC 342, nicknamed the “hidden galaxy”. And the fifth image delivers a vast panorama of the spectacular Horsehead Nebula.
Thanks to Euclid’s observations, researchers will learn more regarding dark matter and dark energy which, according to cosmological models, together make up 95% of the Universe! Hence the telescope’s well-deserved nickname: “the detective of the dark Universe”.
Euclid’s view of the Horsehead Nebula Euclid’s view of the Perseus galaxy cluster Euclid’s view of the irregular galaxy NGC 6822 Euclid’s view of the globular cluster NGC 6397
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