A Guide to Watching the Live Reveal of Euclid’s First Images

ESA’s Euclid space telescope has captured the first full-color images of the cosmos, marking a significant milestone in astronomical research. These images, taken across a large portion of the sky, demonstrate the telescope’s ability to create razor-sharp astronomical images. The mission of Euclid is to create the most extensive 3D map of the Universe and uncover its hidden secrets.

The live broadcast of the reveal of these mesmerizing portraits of our Universe will take place on Tuesday, 7 November at 13:15 GMT / 14:15 CET. During the broadcast, experts will guide viewers through the images and discuss the scientific significance behind them. This will provide a unique opportunity for science enthusiasts to witness groundbreaking discoveries in real-time.

For those interested in further exploration, an ESA press release including high-resolution versions of all images will be available on esa.int/euclid. Additionally, the complete set of images can be accessed through the ESA Space in Images archive. Viewers are encouraged to join the conversation and ask questions using the #AskESA hashtag on social media. On Thursday, 9 November, there will be a Reddit AskScience AMA session where the Euclid team will answer questions from the public.

While the data captured in these initial images is currently being analyzed by the Euclid Consortium, a combined scientific paper will be published towards the end of this year to reveal the scientific wonders uncovered. Routine science observations are scheduled to begin in early 2024, and the data obtained by Euclid over its six years in space will be released yearly to the public. This promises a continuous stream of captivating results and images that will enhance our understanding of the Universe.

Euclid’s mission is to explore the composition and evolution of the dark Universe. By observing billions of galaxies up to 10 billion light-years away, Euclid will create a comprehensive 3D map of the Universe. This map will provide insights into how the Universe has expanded over time and the distribution of large-scale structures. It will also shed light on the role of gravity, as well as the nature of dark energy and dark matter.

The Euclid mission represents a significant leap forward in our understanding of the cosmos. With its ability to capture high-resolution images across a wide expanse of the sky, Euclid is poised to unlock the mysteries of the Universe and reveal its hidden secrets. As we eagerly await the publication of the scientific paper and the commencement of routine observations, the world can anticipate a future filled with captivating discoveries and a deeper understanding of our place in the Universe.