A European space telescope called Euclid has been launched from Florida with a mission to tackle one of the most profound enigmas in science: the composition of the Universe.
Euclid aims to construct a vast three-dimensional map of the cosmos, providing valuable insights into the properties of dark matter and dark energy, which are believed to exert influence over the shape and expansion of the visible universe.
Despite their pivotal roles, scientists admit to having limited knowledge about these elusive phenomena, as they are not directly detectable. This knowledge gap has hindered attempts to comprehend the origins of the Universe. However, the launch of Euclid is expected to bridge this gap and provide astronomers with a pathway to understanding.
Professor Isobel Hook from Lancaster University in the UK likens the mission to embark on a voyage without knowing the direction to land. By mapping the Universe, scientists hope to gain insights into humanity's place within it and trace the journey from the Big Bang to the present, encompassing the formation of galaxies, the Solar System, and even life itself.
The €1.4 billion Euclid telescope was launched on a Falcon-9 rocket from Cape Canaveral and is now positioned 1.5 million kilometres from Earth, on the opposite side of the planet from the Sun. While primarily a European Space Agency (ESA) endeavour, the mission has also received scientific and engineering contributions from NASA.
Euclid's ambitious endeavour involves a six-year, two-pronged survey to unravel the mysteries of dark matter and energy. Dark energy is believed to comprise approximately 70% of the Universe's power, while dark matter accounts for around 25%. Visible matter, including stars, planets, and everything else we perceive, constitutes only 5%.
To investigate the nature of this enigmatic 95%, Euclid will meticulously map the distribution of dark matter and explore the three-dimensional arrangement of galaxies to understand the effects of dark energy on cosmic expansion.
The telescope will employ its visible camera, known as the VIS, to produce enormous images, each requiring more than 300 high-definition TVs to display fully. By observing the distortion of light caused by the gravitational effects of dark matter, Euclid will create a comprehensive map across 15,000 square degrees of the sky, significantly expanding our understanding of the distribution and properties of this invisible matter.
Euclid's investigation of dark energy will involve mapping the positions of approximately two billion galaxies over a vast expanse of 10 billion light-years from Earth. These measurements will shed light on the uniformity of the Universe's expansion and potentially lead to groundbreaking discoveries, challenging current models and theories.
The mission might prompt a reevaluation of the methods used to detect dark matter particles, as well as provide alternative explanations for dark energy beyond the prevailing notion of it being an intrinsic property of the vacuum of space.
Although Euclid may not offer definitive answers about the nature of dark matter and dark energy, it will significantly narrow down the range of possibilities, guiding future research and stimulating new ideas. It has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the Universe and influence the fate of its expansion, ultimately shaping our perception of reality on a cosmic scale.