{"id":772316,"date":"2023-11-12T02:43:50","date_gmt":"2023-11-12T06:43:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=772316"},"modified":"2023-11-12T02:43:50","modified_gmt":"2023-11-12T06:43:50","slug":"1st-science-images-from-euclid-dr-becky-explains-why-we-love-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=772316","title":{"rendered":"1st science images from Euclid! Dr. Becky explains why we love them"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The first SCIENCE IMAGES from the Euclid Space Telescope \ud83e\udd2f#shorts\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/YWKrrtt3cqQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>Hear Dr. Becky describe what\u2019s exciting about the 1st science images from ESA\u2019s Euclid mission.<\/p>\n<p>The Euclid \u2013 launched this past July \u2013 is a cosmology survey mission, optimized to determine the properties of dark energy and dark matter on universal scales. And Dr. Becky \u2013 above \u2013 does a great job explaining what\u2019s cool about Euclid\u2019s first images, released this week. Plus, if you want more, the European Space Agency published the original article below on November 7, 2023. Edits by EarthSky.<\/p>\n<p>On November 7, 2023, ESA\u2019s Euclid space mission revealed its first full-color images of the cosmos. Never before has a telescope been able to create such razor-sharp astronomical images across such a large patch of the sky, and looking so far into the distant universe. These five images illustrate Euclid\u2019s full potential. They show that the telescope is ready to create the most extensive 3D map of the universe yet, to uncover some of its hidden secrets. <\/p>\n<h3>What is the Euclid space telescope?<\/h3>\n<p>Euclid, our dark universe detective, has a difficult task: to investigate how dark matter and dark energy have made our universe look like it does today. In fact, some 95% of our cosmos appears to be made of these mysterious \u2018dark\u2019 entities. But we don\u2019t understand what they are, because their presence causes only very subtle changes in the appearance and motions of the things we can see.<\/p>\n<p>To reveal the \u2018dark\u2019 influence on the visible universe, over the next six years Euclid will observe the shapes, distances and motions of billions of galaxies out to 10 billion light-years. By doing this, it will create the largest cosmic 3D map ever made.<\/p>\n<p>What makes Euclid\u2019s view of the cosmos special is its ability to create a remarkably sharp visible and infrared image across a huge part of the sky in just one sitting.<\/p>\n<p>The first images showcase this special capacity. From bright stars to faint galaxies, the observations show the entirety of these celestial objects, while remaining extremely sharp, even when zooming in on distant galaxies.<\/p>\n<p>The 2024 lunar calendars are here! Best Christmas gifts in the universe! Check \u2019em out here.<\/p>\n<h3>Scientists share their excitement about Euclid<\/h3>\n<p>ESA Director of Science, Carole Mundell, said: <\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Dark matter pulls galaxies together and causes them to spin more rapidly than visible matter alone can account for. Dark energy is driving the accelerated expansion of the universe. Euclid will \u2013 for the first time \u2013 allow cosmologists to study these competing dark mysteries together. Euclid will make a leap in our understanding of the cosmos as a whole, and these exquisite Euclid images show that the mission is ready to help answer one of the greatest mysteries of modern physics.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Project scientist Ren\u00e9 Laureijs said: <\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>We have never seen astronomical images like this before, containing so much detail. They are even more beautiful and sharp than we could have hoped for, showing us many previously unseen features in well-known areas of the nearby universe. Now we are ready to observe billions of galaxies, and study their evolution over cosmic time.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3>The Perseus Cluster of galaxies<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_456647\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-456647\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-456647\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This is the Perseus Cluster of galaxies. The image shows 1,000 galaxies of the cluster plus 100,000 more distant galaxies behind it. Image via ESA\/ Euclid\/ Euclid Consortium\/ NASA\/ image processing by J.-C. Cuillandre (CEA Paris-Saclay)\/ G. Anselmi\/ CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This incredible snapshot from Euclid is a revolution for astronomy. The image shows 1,000 galaxies belonging to the Perseus Cluster, and more than 100,000 additional galaxies further away in the background.<\/p>\n<p>Many of these faint galaxies were previously unseen. Some of them are so distant that their light has taken 10 billion years to reach us. By mapping the distribution and shapes of these galaxies, cosmologists will be able to find out more about how dark matter shaped the universe that we see today.<\/p>\n<p>This is the first time that such a large image has allowed us to capture so many Perseus galaxies in such a high level of detail. The Perseus Cluster is one of the most massive structures known in the universe, located \u2018just\u2019 240 million light-years away from Earth.<\/p>\n<p>Astronomers demonstrated that galaxy clusters like Perseus can only have formed if dark matter is present in the universe. Euclid will observe numerous galaxy clusters like Perseus across cosmic time, revealing the \u2018dark\u2019 element that holds them together.<\/p>\n<h3>Spiral galaxy IC 342<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_456653\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-456653\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/upl\/2023\/11\/Euclid_s_view_of_spiral_galaxy_IC_342-ESA.jpg\" alt=\"A spiral galaxy showing its arms and bright center among a background of stars.\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" class=\"size-full wp-image-456653\" srcset=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/upl\/2023\/11\/Euclid_s_view_of_spiral_galaxy_IC_342-ESA.jpg 800w, https:\/\/earthsky.org\/upl\/2023\/11\/Euclid_s_view_of_spiral_galaxy_IC_342-ESA-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/earthsky.org\/upl\/2023\/11\/Euclid_s_view_of_spiral_galaxy_IC_342-ESA-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/earthsky.org\/upl\/2023\/11\/Euclid_s_view_of_spiral_galaxy_IC_342-ESA-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-456653\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">With just 1 hour of observation, Euclid imaged this incredible face-on spiral galaxy. Image via ESA\/ Euclid\/ Euclid Consortium\/ NASA\/ image processing by J.-C. Cuillandre (CEA Paris-Saclay)\/ G. Anselmi\/ CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Over its lifetime, our dark universe detective will image billions of galaxies, revealing the unseen influence that dark matter and dark energy have on them. That\u2019s why it\u2019s fitting that one of the first galaxies that Euclid observed is nicknamed the \u2018Hidden Galaxy\u2019. It\u2019s also known as IC 342 or Caldwell 5. Thanks to its infrared view, Euclid has already uncovered crucial information about the stars in this galaxy, which is a look-alike of our Milky Way.<\/p>\n<h3>Irregular galaxy NGC 6822<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_456654\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-456654\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/upl\/2023\/11\/Euclid_s_view_of_irregular_galaxy_NGC_6822-ESA.jpg\" alt=\"A fuzzy galaxy with a brighter vertical bar and diffuse cloud around it sitting in a field of stars.\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" class=\"size-full wp-image-456654\" srcset=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/upl\/2023\/11\/Euclid_s_view_of_irregular_galaxy_NGC_6822-ESA.jpg 800w, https:\/\/earthsky.org\/upl\/2023\/11\/Euclid_s_view_of_irregular_galaxy_NGC_6822-ESA-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/earthsky.org\/upl\/2023\/11\/Euclid_s_view_of_irregular_galaxy_NGC_6822-ESA-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/earthsky.org\/upl\/2023\/11\/Euclid_s_view_of_irregular_galaxy_NGC_6822-ESA-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-456654\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This first irregular dwarf galaxy that Euclid observed is NGC 6822. It\u2019s relatively close by, at just 1.6 million light-years from Earth. Image via ESA\/ Euclid\/ Euclid Consortium\/ NASA\/ image processing by J.-C. Cuillandre (CEA Paris-Saclay)\/ G. Anselmi\/ CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>To create a 3D map of the universe, Euclid will observe the light from galaxies out to 10 billion light-years. Most galaxies in the early universe don\u2019t look like the quintessential neat spiral but are irregular and small. They are the building blocks for bigger galaxies like our own. We can still find some of these galaxies relatively close to us. This first irregular dwarf galaxy that Euclid observed is NGC 6822. It lies 1.6 million light-years from Earth.<\/p>\n<h3>Globular cluster NGC 6397<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_456655\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-456655\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/upl\/2023\/11\/Euclid_s_view_of_globular_cluster_NGC_6397-ESA.jpg\" alt=\"A ball of stars that is compact at the center and more diffuse as you look farther out. The stars are white, bluish and orangish.\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" class=\"size-full wp-image-456655\" srcset=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/upl\/2023\/11\/Euclid_s_view_of_globular_cluster_NGC_6397-ESA.jpg 800w, https:\/\/earthsky.org\/upl\/2023\/11\/Euclid_s_view_of_globular_cluster_NGC_6397-ESA-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/earthsky.org\/upl\/2023\/11\/Euclid_s_view_of_globular_cluster_NGC_6397-ESA-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/earthsky.org\/upl\/2023\/11\/Euclid_s_view_of_globular_cluster_NGC_6397-ESA-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-456655\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Normally, it\u2019s challenging to image an entire globular cluster in just one sitting. Their bright centers \u2018drown out\u2019 the fainter stars. Their outer regions extend a long way out and contain mostly low-mass, faint stars. And it is the faint stars that can tell us about previous interactions with the Milky Way. Image via ESA\/ Euclid\/ Euclid Consortium\/ NASA\/ image processing by J.-C. Cuillandre (CEA Paris-Saclay)\/ G. Anselmi\/ CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This sparkly image shows Euclid\u2019s view on a globular cluster called NGC 6397. This is the second-closest globular cluster to Earth, located about 7,800 light-years away. Globular clusters are collections of hundreds of thousands of stars held together by gravity. Currently no other telescope than Euclid can observe an entire globular cluster in one single observation, and at the same time distinguish so many stars in the cluster. These faint stars tell us about the history of the Milky Way and where dark matter is located.<\/p>\n<h3>Euclid sees the Horsehead Nebula<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_456657\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-456657\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/upl\/2023\/11\/Euclid_s_view_of_the_Horsehead_Nebula-ESA.jpg\" alt=\"Euclid: Gas and dust show the shape of a horse's head rising up from thicker gas with stars in the background.\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" class=\"size-full wp-image-456657\" srcset=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/upl\/2023\/11\/Euclid_s_view_of_the_Horsehead_Nebula-ESA.jpg 800w, https:\/\/earthsky.org\/upl\/2023\/11\/Euclid_s_view_of_the_Horsehead_Nebula-ESA-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/earthsky.org\/upl\/2023\/11\/Euclid_s_view_of_the_Horsehead_Nebula-ESA-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/earthsky.org\/upl\/2023\/11\/Euclid_s_view_of_the_Horsehead_Nebula-ESA-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-456657\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">At approximately 1,375 light-years away, the Horsehead Nebula \u2013 visible as a dark cloud shaped like a horse\u2019s head \u2013 is the closest giant star-forming region to Earth. It sits just to the south of star Alnitak, the easternmost of Orion\u2019s famous 3-star belt, and is part of the vast Orion molecular cloud. Image via ESA\/ Euclid\/ Euclid Consortium\/ NASA\/ image processing by J.-C. Cuillandre (CEA Paris-Saclay)\/ G. Anselmi\/ CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Euclid shows us a spectacularly panoramic and detailed view of the Horsehead Nebula. This area of gas and dust is part of the constellation Orion. In Euclid\u2019s new observation of this stellar nursery, scientists hope to find many dim and previously unseen Jupiter-mass planets in their celestial infancy, as well as young brown dwarfs and baby stars.<\/p>\n<p>Bottom line: See the first images from the Euclid space telescope, a dazzling assortment of galaxies, clusters and nebulae that will help us understand dark matter and dark energy.<\/p>\n<p>Via ESA<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"cp-load-after-post\"\/><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"post-author\">\n<h4>EarthSky Voices<\/h4>\n<p>                    View Articles\n                  <\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-tags\">\n<h6 data-udy-fe=\"text_7c58270d\">About the Author:<\/h6>\n<p>Members of the EarthSky community &#8211; including scientists, as well as science and nature writers from across the globe &#8211; weigh in on what&#8217;s important to them.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/space\/see-new-euclid-images\/?rand=772280\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hear Dr. Becky describe what\u2019s exciting about the 1st science images from ESA\u2019s Euclid mission. The Euclid \u2013 launched this past July \u2013 is a cosmology survey mission, optimized to&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":772317,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-772316","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-earth-sky"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/772316","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=772316"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/772316\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/772317"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=772316"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=772316"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=772316"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}