The Euclid space telescope, from the European Space Agency (ESA), released this Tuesday (15), the first part of an ambitious map of the Universe. The announcement was made during the International Astronautical Congress, in Milan, Italy. The image reveals millions of stars and galaxies in stunning resolution.
This first piece of the cosmic map is a gigantic 208 gigapixel mosaic, the result of 260 observations carried out between March 25 and April 8, 2024. In two weeks, Euclid covered an area of 132 square degrees of the Southern Hemisphere sky — a area 500 times larger than the area of the full Moon.
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The mosaic released represents just 1% of the total that the telescope will map over six years. When the mission is completed, Euclid will have created the largest three-dimensional map of the Universe, observing the shape, distance and movement of billions of galaxies, some 10 billion light-years away.
This first part of the map is already impressive: there are 100 million sources, including stars in the Milky Way and distant galaxies. Of these, around 14 million galaxies could be used to study the effects of dark matter and dark energy – two great mysteries in science.
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“The image is incredible and marks the beginning of a journey that, in six years, will reveal more than a third of the sky. And that’s just 1% of the map”, celebrates Valeria Pettorino, Euclid project scientist at ESA. According to her, the telescope will allow scientists to discover new ways of understanding the Universe.
What can you see in the images captured by Euclides?
With extremely sensitive cameras, Euclides was able to capture objects with an impressive amount of detail. By enlarging the image up to 600 times, it is possible to see, for example, the intricate structure of a spiral galaxy.
In addition to stars and galaxies, the mosaic reveals clouds of gas and dust, called “galactic cirrus”, which reflect light from the Milky Way and shine in infrared light, captured by ESA’s Planck satellite.
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This first image is just a preview of what’s to come. Since February 2024, when the mission began its regular scientific observations, 12% of the survey has already been completed. The next data release, scheduled for March 2025, will include deep areas of the sky mapped by Euclid. The first complete cosmological data from the mission will be released in 2026.
About the Euclid Telescope
Euclides was launched in July 2023, and is the result of an international collaboration involving more than 2,000 scientists from 300 institutions in 15 countries, as well as partners such as NASA, the United States space agency. The mission promises to provide unprecedented data on the structure of the cosmos and the role of dark energy and matter in the evolution of the Universe.
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Check out the video released by the European Space Agency with images of Euclides:
The Universe Unveiled: Euclid Space Telescope‘s Stunning First Map
Hold onto your telescopes, folks, because the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Euclid space telescope has just dropped a cosmic map more dazzling than a disco ball at a black-tie astrophysics conference! Yes, you heard it right: it’s like the universe decided to slap on some glitter and show off at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, Italy, and let me tell you, it’s quite the show.
Gigapixel Galore
Released on Tuesday, the first fleshy bit of this cosmic pizza is a whopping 208 gigapixel mosaic. Now, that’s a lot of pixels! It’s so detailed you could use it for your next “Where’s Waldo?” game, except you’ll be looking for galaxies and dark matter instead of a guy in stripes. This colossal map was stitched together from 260 observations taken between March 25 and April 8, 2024 – yes, just two weeks to cover an area of sky that’s 500 times larger than the full Moon! Talk about a serious overachiever!
Just the Tip of the Cosmic Iceberg
But wait, before you start thinking Euclid is just showing off, this only represents a mere 1% of what it plans to map over a six-year odyssey. Imagine that! By the time it’s over, Euclid’s going to have the largest three-dimensional map of the universe – one that’ll make the Google Maps team look like they’re just mapping the neighborhood! It plans to track billions of galaxies, some a staggering 10 billion light-years away (and no, that’s not just a Tinder date gone wrong).
Dark Energy and Dark Matter: The Universe’s Hidden Secrets
Among these celestial celebrities, Euclid’s already spotted 100 million sources, which include our very own stars in the Milky Way and some distant galaxies that are acting all mysterious. A tantalizing 14 million of those could help scientists unlock the cryptic secrets behind dark matter and dark energy – two of the best-kept secrets in the cosmos. It’s like the universe is saying, “I’ve got mysteries, and you’re going to need a telescope to solve them!”
“The image is incredible and marks the beginning of a journey that, in six years, will reveal more than a third of the sky. And that’s just 1% of the map,” – Valeria Pettorino, Euclid Project Scientist at ESA.
What’s in the Cosmic Cocktails?
With its ultra-sensitive cameras, Euclid can spot cosmic objects with an astonishing level of detail. Doubling down on the magnificence, you can enlarge the image up to 600 times and witness the delightful spiral of a galaxy. Again, just another Tuesday for Euclid. The map also reveals beautiful clouds of gas and dust, whimsically referred to as “galactic cirrus” (which sounds like the name of a trendy café, doesn’t it?).
The Future is Bright
This is merely the opening act! The main show will unfurl over the next several years. The next data drop is due in March 2025, and by 2026, we expect an avalanche of cosmological data that’ll leave jaws on the floor across the scientific community. The telescope, launched in July 2023, brings together over 2,000 scientists from 300 institutions in 15 countries. It’s like the UN, but for nerds who dream of galaxies instead of geopolitical nuances!
The Cosmic Karaoke Continues
So grab your space helmets and keep your antennas up, because this cosmic ride has just begun! With Euclid leading the way, we’re not just looking at the stars anymore; we’re about to understand them. Cheers to that, and who knows? Perhaps in six years, we’ll be singing “I Will Survive” in a galaxy far, far away!
Check Out the Video!
Be sure to tune in and watch the European Space Agency’s video showcasing the images taken by Euclid. Who knows what stunning galactic imagery awaits you?
