Einstein’s theory of relativity predicts, but a spectacular halo that has never been seen in this galaxy has been discovered by Europe’s new Euclid Space telescope for a mission for just a few months. The discovery, which took place during routine testing of the spacecraft, revealed the extraordinary capabilities of this new observatory and hints at thousands of cosmic discoveries that may be located ahead.
The ring points out that NGC is around 6505 now, a 590 million light-year galaxy from Earth, which is actually cosmic. What makes this discovery particularly compelling is that although astronomers have known the Milky Way since 1884, this compelling function has not been discovered until now.
“I looked at the data from Euclid. In this region, we could see a perfect Einstein ring. For me, It’s amazing to have a lifetime interest in gravity lenses.”
The illumination ring is generated by optical illusions on the cosmic scale. Light from the distant Milky Way, located 4.42 billion light years away, bent and focused on the huge gravity field of NGC 6505, acts like a giant magnifying glass in space. When such distant objects are perfectly aligned, the light forms a complete circle – the Einstein ring.
“The Einstein ring is an example of a strong gravity lens,” explains Conor O’Riordan of the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, who is the lead author of the first scientific paper , the ring was analyzed. “All strong mirrors are special because they are so rare and very scientifically useful. It’s especially special because it’s so close to the earth and the alignment makes it very beautiful.”
This discovery suggests that Euclid’s special abilities were launched on July 1, 2023, a task that maps dark matter and investigates dark energy in the universe. “I found the ring was observed in a famous galaxy,” said Valeria Pettorino, a scientist at ESA Euclid project. “This shows how powerful Euclid is, finding new ones even where we think we are familiar with it.” thing.”
So far, astronomers have found less than 1,000 powerful shots throughout the sky. Euclid is expected to discover about 100,000 in the six-year mission as it maps more than one-third of the paradise. Discovering such a spectacular example so early on the mission – being so close to the earth is extraordinary.
“Euclid will revolutionize the field with all this data we have never had,” added O’Riordan.
In addition to visual appeal, the Einstein ring also acts as a natural universe lab. By studying how gravity bends light in these systems, scientists can study the distribution of dark matter, measure the expansion rate of the universe, and go deeper than others.
The telescope began a systematic investigation of the sky on February 14, 2024, and gradually established the most extensive three-dimensional map ever. This early discovery suggests that Euclid has sufficient place to unlock more cosmic secrets in the coming years.
If you find this piece useful, consider supporting our work with a one-time or monthly donation. Your contribution allows us to continue to bring you accurate, thought-provoking scientific and medical news that you can trust. Independent reporting requires time, effort, and resources, and your support makes it possible for us to continue exploring stories that are important to you. Together, we can ensure that important discoveries and developments attract those who need them the most.
