Telescope Euclid

On July 1, 2023, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched the Euclid space telescope on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The telescope is named after the ancient Greek mathematician Euclid, who is considered to be the father of geometry. Euclid's mission is to map the evolution of the dark universe, which makes up about 95% of the known universe.

The telescope is equipped with two scientific instruments: a visible-light camera and a near-infrared spectrometer. The camera will be used to image galaxies as far away as 10 billion light-years, while the spectrometer will be used to measure the redshifts of galaxies, which can be used to determine their distance and composition.

Euclid will survey more than a third of the extragalactic sky over the next six years. This will allow scientists to create the most accurate three-dimensional map of the cosmos to date. The map will be used to study the distribution of dark matter and dark energy, and to understand how these mysterious forces have influenced the evolution of the universe.

The launch of Euclid is a major milestone in the quest to understand the dark universe. The telescope's findings are expected to revolutionize our understanding of cosmology and astrophysics.

What is the dark universe?

The dark universe is a term used to describe the mysterious matter and energy that make up about 95% of the known universe. Dark matter cannot be seen directly, but its presence is inferred from its gravitational effects on visible matter. Dark energy is even more mysterious, and its nature is not yet fully understood. However, scientists believe that dark energy is responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe.

What is Euclid's mission?

Euclid's mission is to map the evolution of the dark universe. The telescope will do this by surveying more than a third of the extragalactic sky over the next six years. This will allow scientists to create the most accurate three-dimensional map of the cosmos to date. The map will be used to study the distribution of dark matter and dark energy, and to understand how these mysterious forces have influenced the evolution of the universe.

How will Euclid work?

Euclid is equipped with two scientific instruments: a visible-light camera and a near-infrared spectrometer. The camera will use a technique called wide-field imaging to capture images of large areas of the sky. This will allow scientists to study the distribution of galaxies over time and space. The spectrometer will use a technique called spectroscopy to measure the light emitted by galaxies. This will allow scientists to determine the composition of galaxies and to measure their redshifts.

The camera will be equipped with a 600-megapixel detector that will be sensitive to light in the visible and near-infrared wavelengths. The spectrometer will be equipped with a grating that will disperse the light from galaxies into its component wavelengths. This will allow scientists to measure the redshifts of galaxies with great precision.

What are the expected findings of Euclid?

The expected findings of Euclid include:

• A more accurate map of the distribution of dark matter and dark energy in the universe.
• A better understanding of how dark matter and dark energy have influenced the evolution of the universe.
• New insights into the formation and evolution of galaxies.
• The discovery of new astronomical objects, such as dark galaxies and dark matter halos.

The importance of Euclid's mission

Euclid's mission is of great importance because it will help us to understand the dark universe, which is one of the most mysterious and important aspects of the cosmos. The telescope's findings are expected to revolutionize our understanding of cosmology and astrophysics, and to provide new insights into the nature of reality itself.

The future of Euclid

Euclid is expected to continue operating for at least six years, and it is possible that the mission could be extended. The telescope's findings will be used by scientists around the world to study the dark universe and to understand the evolution of the cosmos. Euclid's mission is a major step forward in our quest to understand the universe, and its findings are sure to have a profound impact on our understanding of reality.

The challenges of Euclid's mission

Euclid's mission is not without its challenges. The telescope will be operating in a very harsh environment, and it will be exposed to radiation from the sun and from cosmic rays. The telescope's instruments will also be subject to thermal noise, which can degrade the quality of the data.

Despite these challenges, Euclid is a very ambitious and exciting project. The telescope's findings are sure to have a profound impact on our understanding of the universe, and they could help us to answer some of the most fundamental questions about the cosmos

(image: © ESA. Acknowledgement: Work performed by ATG under contract for ESA., CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO)