Euclid sends back its first images ahead of producing a 3D map of the Universe.
The first test images produced by ESA’s Euclid probe are here and hint at the amazing power of the imaging power on board.
These test images are simply just that – future images will be even more detailed and much sharper and cleaner.
The Euclid Telescope has been built and designed by ESA and the Euclid Consortium to explore the evolution of the dark universe, discovering how it formed and expanded over time.
In order to do this, it has been fitted with a 1.2m-diameter telescope, visible-wavelength camera, and near-infrared camera/spectrometer. Using these instruments, Euclid will build a detailed 3D map of the Universe – the third dimension being time.
During its mission, Euclid aims to answer some pretty big questions, such as if the expansion of our Universe is uniform or whether it changes over time. And whether or not our understanding of gravity is complete and accurate.
The Near-Infrared camera
One of the images released shows spiral and elliptical galaxies, nearby and distant stars, star clusters, and cosmic rays as they shoot across space.
This image was taken to test the camera once Euclid came online. Once the instruments are fully configured, future images will show these stars and galaxies in much more detail and with much sharper quality.
Using the visible instruments
This second image was taken with the VISible instrument (VIS) and shows the Universe in visible light. This is just one section from the 38 detectors onboard Euclid.
Producing a map of the universe
Starting to see galaxies and stars
Launch of Euclid
Euclid was launched by ESA and the Euclid Consortium on 1 July 2023 from Cape Canaveral in Florida, USA, on board a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle.
The Euclid Probe
The spacecraft is named after the Greek mathematician Euclid of Alexandria, who lived in ancient Greece at around 300 BC. He is believed to be the father of geometry, therefore the mission was named in his honour.
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