Euclid 'dark universe' telescope captures 1st full-color views of the cosmos

Source: Space.com

Euclid 'dark universe' telescope captures 1st full-color views of the cosmos

"These exquisite Euclid images show that the mission is ready to help answer one of the greatest mysteries of modern physics."

By Sharmila Kuthunur published about 3 hours ago

On Tuesday (Nov. 7), astronomers hailed the Euclid telescope's ability to capture stunning intricacies of the universe in remarkably few hours as they revealed the mission's first portfolio of full-color images.

"We have never seen astronomical images like this before, containing so much detail," René Laureijs, Euclid project scientist, said in a statement prior to the unveiling. "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."

Mission scientists gathered in Darmstadt, Germany to reveal and discuss the telescope's first five vibrant images of various pockets in the universe. Euclid's first test images were released at the end of July, but important as they were, these visuals barely scratched level 1 of this telescope's abilities.

Rich in color as well as in nuance, the new snapshots capture previously unseen features in even some deeply studied cosmic objects, assuring astronomers that the telescope is, in fact, ready to get going on its ambitious task: Mapping the dark, invisible side of our universe.

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Read more: https://www.space.com/dark-matter-euclid-mission-first-breathtaking-images


Spiral galaxy IC 342 (The "Hidden Galaxy") is difficult to see because it's located on the far side of the Milky Way (ESA/Euclid Consortium/NASA)