European Space Agency scientists have begun examining 1.7 petabytes of observation data collected over roughly 13 months to map cosmic expansion and the surrounding cosmic web. The dataset covers a sky area equivalent to approximately 9,500 times the size of the moon as viewed from Earth. Because dark components emit no light, researchers must trace visible galaxy structures to study them. This initial release represents only 14 percent of the telescope's broader six-year survey plan.
Key points
The mission uses cosmic structural measurements to investigate dark components that canno…: The mission uses cosmic structural measurements to investigate dark components that cannot emit or absorb light.
Initial findings regarding dark matter and dark energy are scheduled to be completed next…: Initial findings regarding dark matter and dark energy are scheduled to be completed next year.
A final three-dimensional atlas of the universe is planned for release by the agency in 2…: A final three-dimensional atlas of the universe is planned for release by the agency in 2031.
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Nov 12 : The European Space Agency has released its first big collection of data from the orbiting Euclid telescope's mission to map the universe's large-scale structure, including observations of more than 900 million galaxies, as scientists investigate the puzzling cosmic components dark matter and dark energy.
The data unveiled on Thursday covered a survey of the sky equal to about 9,500 times the size of the moon as viewed from Earth. The mission's goal is to complete the largest-ever three-dimensional atlas of the cosmos, spanning more than a third of the sky, in 2031.
Thursday's release encompassed around 13 months of Euclid observations, totaling an enormous 1.7 petabytes — 1.7 million gigabytes — of data.
"It marks a major milestone for ESA's Euclid mission and for everyone involved," said astrophysicist Valeria Pettorino, ESA's Euclid project scientist.
Euclid, launched from Florida in 2023, is gathering data on how the universe has expanded and how its structure has formed over time while amassing information about the nature of dark energy and dark matter and the role of gravity on large scales.
The European Space Agency's Euclid mission has published its first major dataset covering roughly 14% of its planned observation area. This initial release aims to help scientists investigate dark energy and dark matter, which together comprise about 95% of the cosmos. By studying how light distorts around distant formations, researchers hope to map invisible matter and test competing cosmological theories.
Astronomers analyzed a binary pairing located over 5,000 light-years away, identifying an unusual long-period transient that challenges previous astronomical records. Unlike prior periodic signals typically tied to cool red dwarfs, this interaction features an energetic white dwarf orbiting beside a Sun-like star. The breakthrough highlights the capabilities of next-generation precursors in detecting rare, fleeting astrophysical phenomena across our galaxy.
Lead author Pristine Onuoha has published a peer-reviewed study evaluating a compact genetic testing method designed to monitor astronaut DNA changes. The project, which targeted telomeres that may lengthen during spaceflight, proved capable of accurately quantifying genetic sequences in microgravity. These findings demonstrate that specialized fluorescence-based tools can effectively overcome the laboratory equipment constraints inherent to orbital habitats.