Central Idea

• The European Space Agency (ESA) is embarking on an extraordinary mission with the launch of the Euclid Space Telescope.
• This ambitious project aims to survey billions of galaxies, providing valuable insights into the evolution of the Universe, as well as the mysterious phenomena of dark energy and dark matter.

What is Euclid Mission?

• The primary goal of the Euclid mission is to study the nature and properties of dark energy and dark matter, which together constitute a significant portion of the Universe.
• By mapping the distribution and evolution of galaxies, Euclid aims to shed light on the fundamental forces shaping the cosmos.

(1) Mission Scope and Duration

• Euclid is a space-based mission, equipped with a sophisticated telescope and state-of-the-art scientific instruments.
• The mission is expected to have a nominal operational lifetime of 6 years, during which it will conduct an extensive survey of the sky.

(2) Launch and Spacecraft

• Euclid was launched on July 1, 2023, from Cape Canaveral in Florida using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
• The spacecraft carries the Euclid Space Telescope, which is designed to observe galaxies across a wide range of wavelengths.

(3) Investigating Dark Energy and Dark Matter  

• Dark energy, discovered in 1998, explains the unexpected acceleration of the universe’s expansion.
• Euclid’s mission aims to provide a more precise measurement of this acceleration, potentially uncovering variations throughout cosmic history.
• Dark matter, inferred through the gravitational effects it exerts on galaxies and clusters, plays a vital role in preserving their integrity.

Scientific Instruments and Observations

(a) Euclid Space Telescope

• The Euclid Space Telescope is equipped with a 1.2-meter primary mirror, allowing it to capture detailed observations of galaxies.
• It carries two main scientific instruments: the visible-wavelength camera (VIS) and the near-infrared camera and spectrometer (NISP).

(b) Visible-Wavelength Camera (VIS)

• The VIS instrument will capture images in visible light, enabling the study of the shapes, sizes, and morphological properties of galaxies.

(c) Near-Infrared Camera and Spectrometer (NISP)

• NISP will observe galaxies in the near-infrared range, providing essential data on their distance, redshift, and clustering properties.
• By measuring the distribution of galaxies at different cosmic epochs, NISP will aid in the study of large-scale cosmic structures.

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