The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) has release…

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) has released Data Release 1 (DR1), presenting the largest and most detailed 3D map of the universe to date. This dataset encompasses information on 18.7 million celestial objects, including approximately 4 million stars, 13.1 million galaxies, and 1.6 million quasars, extending back 11 billion years.

DESI, situated on the Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, aims to elucidate the nature of dark energy. The comprehensive data from DR1 not only aids in understanding dark energy but also offers insights into galaxy evolution, black holes, dark matter, and the structure of the Milky Way.

Notably, initial analyses of DESI's data suggest that dark energy may not be a constant force as previously thought. Observations indicate that the universe's expansion rate, influenced by dark energy, has varied over time, challenging existing cosmological models and potentially altering our understanding of the universe's fate.

The data from DR1 is publicly accessible through the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC) and can be explored via the Legacy Survey Sky Browser.

🌻 https://data.desi.lbl.gov/doc/papers/