Ottawa, April 19 (SANA) Scientists have completed the largest three-dimensional map of the universe to date, charting tens of millions of galaxies and offering new insights into dark energy and cosmic evolution.
The survey, conducted over five years using the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), maps more than 47 million galaxies and quasars, along with around 20 million stars in the Milky Way, researchers said.
Scientists say the data provides an unprecedented view of the large-scale structure of the universe and how galaxies form and evolve over time.
Will Percival, a professor of astronomy at the University of Waterloo and a project spokesperson, said DESI is significantly more precise than previous surveys, allowing researchers to better study the physical processes shaping the universe.
The project focuses in part on dark energy, which is believed to account for about 70% of the universe and is thought to drive its accelerating expansion. Early findings suggest dark energy may not be constant, potentially challenging existing theories about the universe’s future.
The project involves more than 900 researchers from 70 institutions worldwide and is led by the U.S. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The instrument uses 5,000 robotic fiber-optic positioners capable of observing more than 100,000 celestial objects in a single night.
Researchers said work on the dataset is ongoing, with the survey expected to continue through 2028. Future updates are expected to expand the map and provide further insight into the universe’s structure and expansion.
R.D/ABD
