The Euclid mission is an ambitious space telescope project led by the European Space Agency (ESA) with contributions from NASA. Its primary goal is to study dark energy, dark matter, and the large-scale structure of the universe. Euclid aims to provide crucial insights into the nature of these enigmatic components that make up a significant portion of the universe.
Dark energy is a theoretical form of energy that is believed to be responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe. By mapping the distribution of galaxies and measuring their distances, Euclid will help scientists investigate the properties of dark energy and understand its role in the cosmic expansion.
Dark matter, on the other hand, is an invisible and elusive substance that is inferred from its gravitational effects on visible matter. Euclid will observe the weak gravitational lensing phenomenon, where the light from distant galaxies is subtly bent by the gravitational pull of dark matter. By studying these lensing effects, scientists hope to gain a deeper understanding of the distribution and properties of dark matter.
Euclid's observations will also contribute to studying the large-scale structure of the universe, including the clustering of galaxies and the formation of cosmic structures. This data will help refine our understanding of the evolution and growth of cosmic structures over billions of years.
Overall, the Euclid mission holds great potential for advancing our knowledge of the dark universe and providing valuable insights into the fundamental properties of dark energy and dark matter. By combining its observations with data from other missions and experiments, scientists hope to unravel the mysteries surrounding these intriguing cosmic phenomena.