Universe Map researchers have released the largest two-dimensional map of the universe to date, charting about 4 billion stars, galaxies, black holes, asteroids and other objects.
The map covers roughly three-quarters of the night sky. It combines 13 years of observations in visible and near-infrared light.
Astronomers focused on regions that dust and gas do not heavily obscure. Because of its enormous scale, scientists cannot reproduce the entire map as a single image.
However, the public can explore the data through the free Legacy Survey Sky Browser.
Thirteen Years of Observations
Three ground-based sky surveys provided the main data for the map.
The surveys used telescopes operated by the National Science Foundation and the University of Arizona. Years of observations from NASA’s Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer satellite mission also contributed to the project.
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The National Science Foundation’s NOIRLab said astronomers and citizen scientists can combine the map with their own observations.
This approach could help researchers investigate the universe in greater detail.
Scientists can also use the data to identify rare phenomena. These include gravitational lenses and short-lived events such as supernovae.
New Clues About Dark Matter and Dark Energy
The map could also support research into two of astronomy’s biggest mysteries: dark matter and dark energy.
Scientists believe dark matter accounts for most of the universe’s mass, although it does not emit or reflect detectable light.
Dark energy, meanwhile, is linked to the accelerating expansion of the universe.
Previous versions of the map have already supported at least 1,800 scientific papers, according to NOIRLab.
The latest edition is expected to provide a valuable resource for future observing projects.
These include the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.
Supporting a 3D Map of the Universe
The survey data have also helped support the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI).
DESI is creating a three-dimensional map of the universe. It measures light from celestial objects to determine their distances.
The instrument completed its first five-year survey in April. Early findings have raised the possibility that dark energy could change over time.
Researchers expect improved results from the first five years next year. DESI’s work is scheduled to continue through 2028.
Telescopes Behind the Map
Three major telescopes produced much of the new map’s data.
They include the Dark Energy Camera on the National Science Foundation’s Victor M. Blanco 4-metre Telescope in Chile.
The NSF Nicholas U. Mayall 4-metre Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona also contributed.
The third telescope was the University of Arizona’s Bok 2.3-metre Telescope, also located at Kitt Peak.
Together, the observations provide astronomers with one of the most detailed views yet of the visible universe.
