After 13 Years and Over 260,000 Images, the Most Comprehensive Cosmic Map Unveiled

Researchers have produced the most expansive two-dimensional cosmic map to date, compiling over a decade’s worth of data from two prominent telescopes to document nearly four billion astronomical bodies. The DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys release presents a stunning 5.6-trillion-pixel panorama, composed of 263,407 individual telescope exposures spanning three-quarters of the sky.

This colossal survey utilized the NSF Mayall Telescope and NSF Blanco Telescope to capture images of diverse celestial entities such as galaxies, stars, black holes, and asteroids. The result is an intricate catalog detailing the locations and luminosity of these objects, serving as a vital tool for ongoing astronomical investigations.

Initially designed to support the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) project, the survey assists in selecting targets for DESI's mission to create a three-dimensional map of the universe and probe its expansion over time.

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Now publicly accessible, this dataset continues a tradition of celestial mapping, offering deep insights into the distribution of stars and galaxies over an immense portion of the sky, as highlighted by NSF NOIRLab.

Constructing the Most Intricate View of the Night Sky

Thanks to over ten years of data collection by observatories within the NSF NOIRLab network, this map represents an unparalleled achievement. The Blanco Telescope contributed images captured by the Dark Energy Camera, a powerful 570-megapixel device funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. Scientists merged thousands of images to create a seamless sky survey. The finished catalog lists nearly four billion objects detected in both visible and near-infrared wavelengths, with infrared data enabling clearer views through interstellar dust within the Milky Way.

Over 160 researchers took part in assembling this vast collection of 263,407 observations. This enormous dataset enables the study of objects both within our cosmic neighborhood and at great distances. According to David Schlegel, co-leader of the Legacy Surveys and scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the archive has become an invaluable resource for the astronomy community.

 “When you’re working with astronomical objects today, you often start by pulling up the Legacy Imaging Viewer to see what you’re looking at,” he said.

Mapping the Way to a 3D Cosmic Picture

The imaging survey was developed as an essential foundation for DESI, an advanced instrument aimed at measuring millions of galaxies and quasars to study the cosmos. This two-dimensional map plots the positions and brightness of celestial bodies, helping scientists pinpoint targets for DESI’s follow-up measurements. Recently, DESI concluded a significant phase that included mapping over 47 million galaxies and quasars, offering a wealth of data for understanding the universe’s evolution.

By combining visual imaging and spectroscopic data, astronomers gain complementary insights: the Legacy Surveys deliver comprehensive imagery, while DESI provides detailed spatial distribution information.

The catalog showcases famous astronomical landmarks, including the spiral galaxy Messier 96 (NGC 3368). Photos of this galaxy were taken by the Dark Energy Camera and are part of the survey's publicly available datasets.

A Lasting Resource to Spur Cosmic Discovery

The updated DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys database welcomes both scientists and the public to explore vast sections of the optical and near-infrared sky. Earlier versions of this survey have already fueled more than 1,800 scientific studies. This groundwork will also aid upcoming observatories like the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory, equipped with a 3.2-gigapixel camera to perform broad sky surveys.

Arjun Dey, an astronomer with NSF NOIRLab and Legacy Surveys co-lead, emphasized that sky images represent the first step in humanity’s cosmic exploration. He remarked:

“For our team, these data are fundamental to the investigation of the expansion history of the Universe and the formation of our galaxy. But the skies belong to everyone, and this survey gives everyone the chance to marvel at their wonders.”

By integrating millions of images into one comprehensive digital atlas, this survey equips scientists with an unparalleled tool to study the universe and its myriad components.

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