Current Affairs

UPSC Euclid Space Telescope - English

Context:

5. The Euclid Space Telescope, launched by the European Space Agency (ESA), is set to embark on an extraordinary mission to survey billions of galaxies and unravel the secrets of the Universe.

About Euclid Mission:

5. The Euclid mission is part of ESA’s ‘Cosmic Vision’ program, which seeks to explore the origin, composition, and fundamental laws governing the Universe.
5. With its advanced instruments, the mission will survey more than a third of the sky, capturing data from billions of galaxies and their characteristics.

About the components of Euclid:

5. Elucid is made up of advanced instruments.
5. It is equipped with a 1.2-meter-wide telescope.
5. The Euclid Space Telescope carries a visible-wavelength camera (VISible) and a near-infrared camera/spectrometer (NISP).
5. The NISP will analyze the motion of galaxies, providing valuable insights into the effects of gravity and the distribution of matter.
5. The VISible camera will investigate subtle distortions in the shapes of distant galaxies, enabling scientists to study the interplay between gravity and dark energy.

Potential discoveries and significance:

Exploring the evolution of the Universe:

5. The Euclid mission aims to study the light emitted by galaxies that existed 10 billion years ago, offering a glimpse into the early stages of the Universe’s evolution.
5. By analyzing these light emitted billions of years ago, scientists can develop a better understanding of the formation, structure, and development of galaxies over vast cosmic timescales.

Shedding more light on Dark Energy:

5. Dark energy is responsible for the accelerated expansion of the Universe.
5. Dark energy constitutes approximately 68% of the Universe and play a significant role in its evolution and shaping its structure.
5. The Euclid mission seeks to gather essential data to unravel the mysteries surrounding dark energy and dark matter, providing insights into their nature and influence on the cosmos.

Shedding more light on Dark Matter:

5. Dark matter is an invisible substance that shapes cosmic structures.
5. Dark matter, comprising roughly 27% of the Universe, exerts gravitational effects on visible matter, influencing the formation of galaxies and galaxy clusters.
5. The Euclid mission aims to gather data that will enhance our understanding of dark matter’s properties, distribution, and its role in the cosmic web.

Collaboration and Scientific Endeavor:

5. The Euclid Consortium has physicists, astronomers, engineers, and managers, to foster collaboration and ensure the mission’s success.
5. Combining expertise and resources, the consortium aims to harness the potential of the Euclid Space Telescope to revolutionize our understanding of the cosmos.

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