Euclid space telescope reveals first test image – 07/31/2023 – Science

The European space telescope Euclid, whose mission is to study dark matter and dark energy in the universe, arrived at its observation post this Monday (31) and revealed its first test images.

These images were captured to verify the operation of the scientific instruments and calibrate them. Therefore, they are not yet representative of the ultimate capabilities of the telescope.

However, they already indicate that it will be able to fulfill its objectives, as reported by the European Space Agency (ESA) in a statement.

“After more than 11 years of designing and developing Euclid, it is exciting and very moving to see these first images,” said Giuseppe Racca, Head of Mission at ESA. “Once fully calibrated, Euclid will look at billions of galaxies to create the largest 3D map of the sky ever created.”

After launching from Florida on July 1, the European telescope, which also had the participation of NASA, traveled to its destination about 1.5 million kilometers from Earth.

Euclid has two instruments on board: a visible light imager (VIS) and a near-infrared spectrometer (NISP). The first must determine the precise shape of the galaxies, the second their distance.

But when they were activated, scientists had a big scare: the images were “contaminated” by an unexpected light source, reported the ESA. The investigation into the cause of the problem “indicated that sunlight was leaking into the spacecraft, probably through a small opening”, explained the European agency. However, to detect the faint light from distant galaxies, it is absolutely necessary to block out the bright light from our Sun (which faces away from Euclid).

“By rotating Euclid, the teams realized that this light was only detected in certain orientations, and by avoiding certain angles, the VIS instrument will be able to fulfill its mission”, assured the ESA.

Dark matter and energy make up 95% of the universe, but its nature is still a big mystery to scientists. While the first ensures the cohesion of galaxies, the second causes the expansion of the universe.

Thanks to its 3D map, the telescope will be able to make precise measurements of the distribution of galaxies and the expansion of the universe, which is believed to have started six billion years ago.

The observed distant galaxies will make it possible to go back in time to 10 billion years ago, the time required for their light to reach us.

The hope is that Euclid can detect the footprints left by dark matter and energy as galaxies form.

The telescope’s science operations are expected to begin in about two months.