The Euclid mission, led by the European Space Agency (ESA), is a major space observatory that aims to explore some of the most profound questions about the universe, especially regarding dark matter, dark energy, and the expansion of the universe. Launched on July 1, 2023, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Euclid is expected to revolutionize our understanding of cosmology over the next six years of its operation.
Mission Objectives
Euclid’s primary goal is to investigate the role of dark matter and dark energy in the evolution of the universe. These two mysterious components make up around 95% of the universe’s total mass-energy content, yet little is known about their nature. The mission will study how both dark matter and dark energy influence the large-scale structure of the universe and its expansion.
Areas of Focus
Euclid will focus on studying three distinct areas of the universe, each providing valuable insights into different aspects of cosmology:
Galaxy Distribution: By mapping the distribution of galaxies, Euclid will measure the curvature of space-time, which will allow scientists to trace the effect of dark energy. The arrangement of galaxies can reveal how the universe has expanded since the Big Bang.
Galaxy Shapes and Clusters: Euclid will observe the shapes of galaxies, especially their distortions due to the bending of light as it travels through space (a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing). This will help scientists measure the amount of dark matter in galaxy clusters.
Large-Scale Structure: By combining data on galaxy shapes and distances, Euclid will create a map of the large-scale structure of the universe, offering insights into the density and distribution of dark matter and dark energy.
Data Collection
Euclid is positioned in a halo orbit about 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. This stable position allows Euclid to continuously observe the same portion of the sky without the interference of Earth’s shadow or atmospheric distortion.
It’s primary instrument is a large visible and near-infrared camera, which will allow it to capture detailed images of billions of galaxies over a wide swath of sky. The mission is expected to collect data on 1.5 billion galaxies, making it one of the most ambitious galaxy surveys to date. The survey will cover about one-third of the entire sky, providing a broad, detailed map of the cosmos.
