Scientists are eagerly anticipating the launch of the Euclid space telescope, as they believe it holds the potential to unlock the mysteries surrounding dark matter and dark energy. Dark matter and dark energy are two enigmatic components that make up the majority of the universe, but their exact nature remains unknown.
Euclid, a mission led by the European Space Agency (ESA) in collaboration with NASA, is set to launch in the mid-2020s. The telescope will map the distribution and evolution of cosmic structures over large areas of the sky, providing valuable data to study the effects of dark matter and dark energy.
One of the primary goals of the Euclid mission is to investigate the nature of dark energy, which is believed to be responsible for the accelerated expansion of the universe. By observing the clustering of galaxies and the distortion of light caused by the gravitational pull of matter, scientists hope to gain insights into the properties of dark energy and its role in the expansion of the universe.
Additionally, Euclid will contribute to the study of dark matter, an invisible substance that interacts gravitationally with ordinary matter. By observing the gravitational effects of dark matter on the distribution of galaxies, scientists aim to understand its composition and how it influences the formation of cosmic structures.
Euclid will collect data using two main instruments: a visible imager and a near-infrared spectrometer. The mission will survey billions of galaxies across a wide range of cosmic distances and will provide precise measurements of their shapes, positions, and distances.
The scientific community eagerly anticipates the data that Euclid will provide, as it has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the universe’s composition and evolution. By shedding light on the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy, Euclid aims to uncover new insights into the fundamental nature of the cosmos.