The European Space Agency (ESA) announced on July 31 the first images captured by the Euclid telescope, demonstrating that the equipment is functioning well.
The starry images were taken during the testing phase of Euclid, a stage where the scientific instruments of the telescope are fine-tuned, so they do not yet showcase its full potential. However, according to ESA, the tests have already shown that Euclid is capable of fulfilling its monumental mission.
One of the images captured during the testing phase of the Euclid telescope. (Photo: ESA/Euclid/Euclid Consortium/NASA/AFP)
“After more than 11 years of designing and developing Euclid, it is exciting and emotional to see these first images,” shared Giuseppe Racca, the project manager for Euclid.
The Euclid Space Telescope was launched into space by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Florida on July 1. Subsequently, the telescope traveled about 1.5 million kilometers from Earth to its observation orbit. From this position, Euclid will map the largest universe ever, including two billion galaxies scattered across one-third of the sky. Euclid can analyze galaxies that are up to 10 billion light-years away from Earth.
Another impressive point is that this ambitious map will be in 3D.
The visible light camera will allow Euclid to capture the shapes of galaxies, while the photometer and near-infrared spectrometer—developed with the assistance of NASA—will help the telescope measure how far away they are.
When the equipment was first activated, the research team was alarmed by a form of unexpected light that distorted the images, ESA reported. Investigations revealed that some sunlight had entered the telescope, potentially through a small gap, and was only detected when Euclid was oriented in certain ways. ESA stated that by avoiding these angles, Euclid’s imaging instruments can still fulfill their mission. The scientific operations of the telescope are expected to commence in October.
Euclid is designed to search for dark energy and invisible dark matter. Scientists believe that dark matter and dark energy make up most of the universe, but humans cannot see these phenomena at visible light wavelengths. Instead, experts can track them through their effects on other objects.
