Largest 3D Map of the Universe Contains 8 Million Galaxies

Scientists have produced a detailed three-dimensional map of the Universe. Within seven months, their Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument  (DESI) has broken all 3D Galaxies survey records. A component built by Durham University increases the telescope’s field of view using 5,000 optical fibers.

Prof Carlos Frenk from its Institute for Computational Cosmology said DESI’s data would help uncover some of the most intimate secrets of the cosmos.  The fiber-optic system splits light from Galaxies, stars, and a bright variety of Galaxies known as quasars into narrow bands of color.

The study reveals their chemical make-up, how far away they are, and how fast they are traveling, allowing researchers to gauge how much and how quickly the universe has expanded. The final 3D map will give scientists a better understanding of dark energy, which accounts for 70% of the universe and drives expansion.DESI is producing data relating to 11 billion years ago, which can shed light on the early universe. Victoria Fawcett, a Ph.D. researcher at Durham University’s Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy, said DESI obtained much fainter and redder objects than previously discovered.

Scientists are also using the data to understand the behavior of medium-sized black holes in small Galaxies. DESI has already cataloged more than 7.5 million Galaxies and is expected to have added another 27.5 million by the end of its run in 2026. The collaboration is managed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the USA.