Astronomers have unveiled the largest-ever 2D map of the Universe, charting nearly 4 billion stars, galaxies and other cosmic objects across approximately 75% of the sky. Created through the DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys, the detailed cosmic map is available to the public online through the Legacy Survey Sky Viewer. The dataset could help researchers identify gravitational lenses, supernovae, dark matter and new clues about dark energy.
The Copeland Septet, a group of galaxies in the constellation Leo. Image credit: DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys / LBNL / DOE / KPNO / CTIO / NOIRLab / NSF / AURA.
The new DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys map builds on earlier versions that have become essential tools for astronomical research.
“It’s part of the fabric of astronomy research now,” said Dr. David Schlegel, a co-lead of the Legacy Surveys and an astronomer at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
“When you’re working with astronomical objects today, you often start by pulling up the Legacy Imaging Viewer to see what you’re looking at.”
The map covers approximately 75% of the sky in visible and near-infrared wavelengths. It offers a deep view of the extragalactic Universe, including regions not obscured by the dust and stars of our own Milky Way Galaxy.
Astronomers expect the new release to remain the most comprehensive 2D map of the Universe for many years. Its vast collection of objects will support studies of galaxy evolution, cosmic structure and the expansion history of the Universe.
The map was created by combining 263,407 telescope exposures collected through three ground-based sky surveys.
More than 160 scientists contributed to data collection, while a team of 20 astronomers produced the final dataset released today.
“Explorations of our Universe always start with images of the night sky,” said Dr. Arjun Dey, a co-lead of the Legacy Surveys and an astronomer at NSF’s NOIRLab.
“The DESI Imaging Legacy Surveys are just one step in this venerable human tradition.”
“For our team, these data are fundamental to the investigation of the expansion history of the Universe and the formation of our Galaxy.”
“But the skies belong to everyone, and this survey gives everyone the chance to marvel at their wonders.”
Source: www.sci.news