Euclid offers best-ever 3D map of the universe to date

Euclid's First Major Data Release

The Euclid Consortium and the European Space Agency (ESA) have released the first major batch of data from the Euclid space telescope. Capturing light from more than a billion astronomical objects, this dataset lays the groundwork for the largest 3D cosmic map ever constructed by European researchers.

Observation Coverage and Technical Scope

The newly published dataset covers an area of the sky equivalent to approximately 9,500 full moons. With significant technical and scientific contributions from several German research institutions, the Euclid mission continues to measure galaxy shapes, positions, and distances with unprecedented precision.

Unraveling Dark Matter and Dark Energy

This massive 3D map of the cosmos is critical for investigating dark matter and dark energy, which together make up about 95% of the universe. By analyzing this vast collection of objects, astrophysicists aim to test fundamental cosmological models and trace the history of cosmic expansion.