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The original was posted on /r/space by /u/OnjoSimson on 2023-08-01 11:32:45.

Hey fellow space enthusiasts!I couldn’t contain my excitement when I stumbled upon the latest news about the Euclid space telescope. Launched on July 1, this incredible spacecraft has finally reached its destination orbit and has already revealed its first test images! Brace yourselves for a mind-blowing journey into the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy!The European Space Agency (ESA) has been working tirelessly for over 11 years to bring Euclid to life, and their efforts are definitely paying off. These test images, taken during the commissioning phase, give us a glimpse of what this powerful telescope is capable of. Although they don’t represent its full potential, they already show us that Euclid is ready to embark on its massive mission.

Euclid’s primary goal is to create the largest-ever map of the universe, covering more than a third of the sky and encompassing up to two billion galaxies! Just imagine the wealth of knowledge we’ll gain from this unprecedented view. By capturing light that has traveled for 10 billion years, we’ll be able to explore the universe’s history like never before.Equipped with a visible light camera and a near-infrared spectrometer and photometer, Euclid will not only measure the shape of galaxies but also determine their distance from us. This collaboration with NASA has truly elevated the capabilities of this spacecraft.

However, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Euclid. During the instrument’s activation, researchers were surprised by an unexpected pattern of light contaminating the images. After some investigation, they discovered that sunlight was sneaking into the spacecraft through a tiny gap, but only when Euclid was oriented in certain ways. Thankfully, by avoiding these angles, the imaging device will be able to fulfill its mission flawlessly.

The scientific operations of Euclid are set to begin in October, and scientists are hopeful that the data gathered will help address the cosmic embarrassment that 95 percent of the universe remains unknown to us. Dark energy, accounting for 70 percent of the universe, is causing its accelerated expansion, while dark matter, making up 25 percent of the universe, binds it together.

So, fellow space enthusiasts, let’s celebrate this milestone in our quest for knowledge!