The Euclid space telescope has transmitted its debut images as part of a mission dedicated to uncovering the secrets of the “dark universe”.
The European Space Agency (Esa) has invested €1bn (£850m) in this mission which seeks to shed light on the mysterious nature of dark matter and dark energy, which collectively constitute 95% of the universe. The initial images reveal the breathtaking intricacies of the Perseus galaxy cluster and Horsehead nebula, capturing approximately 100,000 galaxies in one snapshot. These images highlight the telescope’s unparalleled ability to make exceptionally precise observations across vast expanses of space.
Ultimately, this telescope, capable of detecting galaxies up to 10bn light years away, aims to produce the largest cosmic 3D map ever made. This map will provide astronomers with valuable insight into the large-scale distribution of dark matter and unveil the influence of dark energy in the early universe. Dark matter is an omnipresent force in the universe, acting as a cosmic glue that binds galaxies together, while dark energy is an enigmatic force believed to be driving the universe’s expansion.
Prof Carole Mundell, Esa’s director of science, expressed that this mission, launched in July, will push the boundaries of scientific knowledge beyond the realm established by Einstein.
Over the next six years, Euclid will observe approximately 8bn galaxies using infrared and visible light spread across 36% of the night sky. In specific cases, light from these distant bodies will pass close to dark matter en route to Earth. The gravitational field of dark matter will bend the light’s path, distorting the galaxies in the final images.
Prof Mark Cropper from University College London, the lead designer of Euclid’s optical camera, explained that by analyzing these distortions, astronomers could deduce a map of dark matter distribution across the night sky and throughout the history of the universe.
While the mission may not immediately address what dark matter is, it should reveal its location and behavior, as well as help researchers understand how dark energy operated in the early universe.
René Laureijs, the Esa’s Euclid project scientist, added: “We have never seen astronomical images like this before, containing so much detail. They are even more beautiful and sharp than we could have hoped for, showing us many previously unseen features in well-known areas of the nearby universe. Now we are ready to observe billions of galaxies, and study their evolution over cosmic time.”
