The Euclid space program, an ambitious mission by the European Space Agency (ESA), represents a significant leap in our quest to understand the cosmos. Named after the father of geometry, Euclid launched on July 1, 2023, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Euclid’s destination was the Sun-Earth Lagrange point 2, located 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. This strategic position allows Euclid to perform its observations with minimal interference from the light and gravitational effects of the Earth and Moon.

Euclid’s primary objective is to explore the dark Universe, which comprises about 95% of the cosmos and consists of dark energy and dark matter. These enigmatic components do not emit, absorb, or reflect light, making them invisible and detectable only through their gravitational effects on the visible Universe. Dark matter is believed to act as the scaffolding for the formation of galaxies and larger cosmic structures, while dark energy is thought to be responsible for the accelerated expansion of the Universe.

Euclid: Mapping the Cosmic Landscape

Euclid is a space telescope designed to explore the composition and evolution of the Universe. Its primary objective is to create an extensive map of the large-scale structure of the cosmos across both space and time. Here are the key aspects of this remarkable mission:

1. Mission Goals:
   • Dark Matter Investigation: Euclid seeks to understand the role of dark matter, which constitutes a significant portion of the Universe’s mass. By observing billions of galaxies, Euclid aims to trace the distribution of dark matter and its influence on cosmic structures.
   • Dark Energy Exploration: Dark energy, responsible for the Universe’s accelerated expansion, remains one of the most profound mysteries. Euclid aims to shed light on its nature and behavior.
   • Cosmic History: The mission will study the Universe’s evolution over 10 billion years, providing insights into how structures formed and how gravity shaped cosmic history.
2. Observations:
   • Euclid will observe galaxies out to an astonishing distance of 10 billion light-years. This vast survey will cover more than a third of the sky.
   • By mapping the positions and properties of galaxies, Euclid will construct a 3D map that reveals the large-scale cosmic web.
3. Launch and Location:
   • Euclid was launched on July 1, 2023, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA.
   • Its destination is the Sun-Earth Lagrange point 2, located approximately 1.5 million km from Earth.
4. Instruments:
   • Euclid is equipped with instruments capable of detecting visible and near-infrared radiation.
   • These instruments allow precise measurements of galaxy positions, shapes, and redshifts.
5. Cosmic Vision Program:
   • Euclid is part of ESA’s Cosmic Vision program, which aims to explore the Universe’s origin, components, and fundamental laws.
   • The mission’s focus on dark matter and dark energy aligns with the program’s overarching goals.
6. Recent Achievements:
   • Euclid’s first images revealed the edge of darkness, showcasing distant galaxies and their intricate structures.
   • The mission team received the Space Foundation Award in recognition of their groundbreaking work.

To achieve its goals, Euclid is equipped with two state-of-the-art instruments capable of detecting visible and near-infrared radiation. These instruments will observe billions of galaxies across more than a third of the sky, out to 10 billion light-years. By doing so, Euclid will create the most extensive 3D map of the Universe yet, revealing the large-scale structure of the cosmos across space and time.

Euclid’s mission is part of ESA’s Cosmic Vision program, which aims to explore the origin and components of the universe and the fundamental laws that govern it. The program focuses on answering key questions related to the “dark side” of the universe, particularly the nature and influence of dark matter and dark energy.

Euclid Mission Achievements

One of the remarkable achievements of the Euclid mission was the release of its first full-color images of the cosmos on November 7, 2023. These images showcased the telescope’s ability to capture razor-sharp astronomical images across a large patch of the sky, looking far into the distant Universe. The images revealed many previously unseen features in well-known areas of the nearby Universe, demonstrating Euclid’s potential to help answer some of the greatest mysteries of modern physics.

Euclid’s survey will observe the shapes, distances, and motions of galaxies to reveal the influence of dark matter and dark energy on the visible Universe. By studying how galaxies cluster together and how their shapes are distorted by the gravitational lensing effect of dark matter, scientists can infer the distribution of dark matter. Similarly, by measuring the redshift of galaxies – the stretching of light to longer wavelengths due to the expansion of the Universe – Euclid will provide insights into the nature of dark energy.

The mission is expected to run for six years, during which it will collect an unprecedented amount of data. This data will not only enhance our understanding of dark matter and dark energy but also provide valuable information on the evolution of galaxies, the history of cosmic expansion, and the growth of cosmic structures over the last 10 billion years of cosmic history.

Euclid’s success is a testament to international collaboration and technological innovation. The mission team has been honored with the Space Foundation Award, recognizing their contributions to space science and exploration. The mission has also faced challenges, such as operations to de-ice Euclid’s vision, which were successfully begun on March 19, 2024.

In conclusion, the Euclid space program is a monumental endeavor that stands to revolutionize our understanding of the Universe. By shedding light on the dark components that dominate the cosmos, Euclid will help us answer fundamental questions about the nature of the Universe and our place within it. The mission’s findings will likely have a profound impact on the field of cosmology and physics for decades to come.

If you want to learn more about space go here for our article about how Greek mythology influenced the naming of the planets.