2023 saw the launch of the Euclid satellite, the most precise universe-mapping tool to date.
Data from Euclid is already having profound impacts on our ability to explore the universe. One application of the satellite is the study of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), supermassive black holes gradually accumulating gas in the centres of galaxies. Recent work, led by PhD student Teresa Matamoro-Zatarain at the University of Bristol, has seen the discovery of a number of new AGN, enhancing our ability to study them.
The study of AGN is vital to understanding the evolution of galaxies, since they play a huge role in the formation of stars in young galaxies. This will help further our understanding of our own galaxy, potentially leading to a myriad of discoveries, including how Earth came to house water and life, or how the Milky Way will continue to change as we work our way around it.
‘The exploration of the big-data delivered by Euclid is only starting’, said Dr Sotiria Fotopoulou, Lecturer in the School of Physics at UoB. ‘We expect many more discoveries from a true multi-disciplinary partnership.’
Featured image: ESA. Acknowledgement: Work performed by ATG under contract for ESA
