The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Euclid mission has released its first five captivating science images, offering unprecedented glimpses into the vastness of our universe. Captured over just 24 hours of observation, these images showcase galaxy clusters, gas clouds, and spiral galaxies in extraordinary detail. Euclid aims to survey over a billion galaxies up to 10 billion years old over the next six years, providing valuable insights into some of the universe’s most enigmatic phenomena, including dark matter and dark energy.
Launched into orbit on July 1, 2023, Euclid was designed to compile wide-lens images to help scientists hunt for dark matter and dark energy, which together make up about 95% of the universe. These mysterious components do not interact with light and cannot be detected directly. However, scientists can study them by observing their effects on the visible universe around them.
Euclid’s images are not only scientifically valuable but also aesthetically stunning. Here’s a closer look at the five images released on Thursday, May 23:
1.
Galaxy Cluster Abell 2390:
This image captures a gigantic grouping of 50,000 galaxies located 2.7 billion light-years from Earth. By measuring the warping of light around these immense galaxies, Euclid can help reveal the quantity and distribution of invisible dark matter across the universe.2.
Galaxy Cluster Abell 2764:
Located 1 billion light-years away, this image shows hundreds of galaxies held within a halo of dark matter. Some galaxies are even spiraling around each other, providing insights into the dynamics of galaxy interactions.3.
Star Nursery Messier 78:
This stunning image reveals a stellar birthplace located 1,300 light-years away. Euclid’s infrared eye detected over 300,000 new objects in this image, including baby stars and gas clouds.4.
Spiral Galaxy NGC 6744:
This image showcases a massive spiral galaxy situated 30 million light-years away. Euclid captured a previously undetected dwarf galaxy orbiting its larger neighbor, offering clues about the formation and evolution of galaxies.5.
Dorado Group:
This final image depicts a collection of galaxies 62 million light-years away that are locked in a complex dance. These galaxies will eventually collide and merge, providing a glimpse into the violent and dynamic processes that shape the cosmos.These five images are just a taste of what Euclid has to offer in the coming years. As the mission continues its observations, we can expect even more breathtaking images and groundbreaking discoveries that will deepen our understanding of the universe we inhabit.
