New map of universe may open a window to dark energy

Subject: Science and tech

Sec: Space

Context:

An international team of researchers has just released the most comprehensive “three-dimensional” map of the universe, which could reveal some clues about dark energy.

More on news:

The researchers have published its findings from the first year of observations by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, or DESI, a unique piece of equipment that, once fitted over a telescope, can capture light from 5,000 galaxies at the same time.

About Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI):

Using DESI, which is mounted over the Mayall 4-Meter Telescope in Arizona, United States, researchers have been able to measure light from six million galaxies-some of which existed as far back as 11 billion years ago.
It aims to prepare the most detailed map of the universe as yet with very precise information about the distances between these galaxies.
The key thing is that we have been able to measure the distances between these galaxies with a very high degree of accuracy.
DESI is a collaboration of more than 900 researchers in institutions across the world.
From India, TIFR is the only participating institution.

About Dark Energy:

The hypothesis of dark energy comes mainly from the observed phenomenon of the universe expanding at a rapid rate.
The vast empty spaces between stars and galaxies have been measured to be expanding at an accelerating pace, despite the countervailing force of gravitation that has the effect of pulling things together.
It can reveal new fundamental forces at work, and could unravel our entire knowledge of the physical world.