Telescope dubbed Euclid, named after the Greek mathematician is launched from Florida

The telescope dubbed Euclid, named for the ancient Greek mathematician called the "father of geometry," was carried aloft in the cargo bay of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that blasted off around 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

New insights from the $1.4 billion European Space Agency (ESA) mission, designed to last at least six years, are expected to transform astrophysics and perhaps understanding of the very nature of gravity itself.

Introduction to the Euclid Space Telescope

Euclid, developed by the ESA, is a state-of-the-art space telescope designed to investigate the nature of dark matter and dark energy. Launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Euclid’s primary goal is to study the expansion of the universe and shed light on the unknown forces driving its acceleration. By examining the distribution of galaxies and measuring subtle changes in light, Euclid will provide valuable insights into the fundamental properties of these cosmic mysteries.

Unraveling the Mysteries of Dark Matter and Dark Energy

Dark matter and dark energy are two of the most perplexing puzzles in modern astrophysics. Dark energy, a mysterious force responsible for the accelerated expansion of the universe, accounts for nearly 75% of its mass-energy budget. On the other hand, dark matter, an invisible material that does not emit or reflect light, constitutes about 24% of the universe. Understanding the nature of dark matter and dark energy is crucial for comprehending the fundamental workings of the cosmos.

Euclid’s Mission and Objectives

The Euclid mission aims to provide answers to fundamental questions in cosmology. By observing the light from galaxies over the past 10 billion years, Euclid’s cameras will investigate whether dark energy is consistent with a cosmological constant predicted by Einstein’s theory of general relativity or if a revision of our understanding of gravity is required. Additionally, Euclid will study dark matter through weak gravitational lensing, analyzing how galaxies’ shapes are distorted by the unseen matter between Euclid and its targets.