The Euclid space mission is an ambitious endeavour by the European Space Agency (ESA) to delve into the secrets of the universe, aiming to unlock the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy. It will make a 3D-map of the Universe (with time as the third dimension) by observing billions of galaxies out to 10 billion light-years, across more than a third of the sky. Euclid promises to revolutionize our understanding of the cosmos, providing crucial insights into the nature of our universe.

Artist Impression of the Eulcid Instrument
Scheduled for launch today! – 1st July 2023
Watch the launch live HERE - scheduled for 16:12 BST
At the heart of the Euclid mission lies the investigation of dark matter and dark energy, two enigmatic components that constitute the majority of the universe. Dark matter, invisible to telescopes, exerts gravitational forces that shape the cosmos. Dark energy, on the other hand, is thought to be responsible for the accelerated expansion of the universe. Euclid's primary objective is to map the distribution of dark matter and measure the expansion of the universe with unprecedented accuracy.
Euclid is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments, including a near-infrared camera and a spectrometer. These instruments enable Euclid to survey the sky and capture the faint light emitted by billions of galaxies. By analyzing the shapes and positions of these galaxies, scientists can trace the influence of dark matter and track the expansion of the universe over time.
Euclid's survey will cover an area of the sky over 15,000 square degrees—about one-third of the entire celestial sphere. This comprehensive map will provide astronomers with an extensive dataset to investigate the large-scale structure of the universe. Moreover, Euclid will observe galaxies at various distances, spanning a significant portion of cosmic history, allowing scientists to study the evolution of galaxies and the growth of cosmic structures.
Euclid is a collaborative mission, with contributions from ESA member states, NASA, and numerous scientific institutions worldwide. Scientists from different disciplines will join forces to analyse Euclid's data, fostering interdisciplinary research and advancing our understanding of fundamental physics.
The Euclid space mission represents a monumental leap forward in our quest to comprehend the mysteries of the universe. By shedding light on the elusive dark matter and dark energy, Euclid's observations will transform our understanding of the cosmos, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries in the field of astrophysics. As the mission unfolds, scientists eagerly anticipate the remarkable insights and revelations that Euclid will bring, guiding humanity towards a deeper understanding of our cosmic origins.
The Euclid Team - it's GO for launch today!

Watch the launch live HERE - scheduled for 16:12 BST
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