Launched in July 2023, the Euclid space telescope is constructing a massive 3D cosmic map spanning a third of the sky and over 10 billion years of cosmic time. Its initial release includes the identification of roughly 15,000 probable cases of strong gravitational lensing, up from only about 1,000 previously known instances. A subsequent data release planned for next summer will focus on galaxy distribution and weak gravitational lensing to examine subtle light distortions. Scientists will use these detailed patterns to map dark matter clumps and evaluate the properties of the cosmos against existing models.
Key points
Strong gravitational lensing patterns allow astronomers to study how invisible dark matte…: Strong gravitational lensing patterns allow astronomers to study how invisible dark matter clumps throughout the universe.
Dark energy and dark matter are estimated to make up roughly 70% and 25% of the cosmos, r…: Dark energy and dark matter are estimated to make up roughly 70% and 25% of the cosmos, respectively.
A planned data release next summer will examine galaxy distributions and weak lensing to…: A planned data release next summer will examine galaxy distributions and weak lensing to test existing dark energy theories.
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A mission to create the largest ever 3D map of the universe has revealed more than 900m galaxies in its first major data release together with about 15,000 potential cases of a phenomenon that could help unlock the secrets of the “dark universe”.
Launched in July 2023, the European Space Agency’s Euclid mission promised to create the largest cosmic map ever made, encompassing a third of the sky and more than 10bn years of cosmic history.
The goal is to shed light on two of the biggest mysteries in the universe: the nature of dark energy and dark matter. These are thought to make up about 70% and 25% of the universe respectively.
Prof Andy Taylor, of the University of Edinburgh, who leads the UK science ground segment for the mission, said while there were bigger surveys, none had the detail and the information content of Euclid. By contrast the Hubble telescope has produced images of incredible resolution, but does not cover as large an area of the sky.
“The technological leap that’s Euclid is that we can keep that…
European Space Agency researchers are analyzing cosmic growth and gravitational phenomena to decode dark energy and dark matter, which together comprise roughly 95 percent of the cosmos. Tracking galactic positions across 10 billion years will allow scientists to reconstruct the universe's large-scale three-dimensional structure. Initial scientific conclusions regarding these invisible forces are scheduled for completion next year.
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.