As we have described before, there is humidity – water – in every spacecraft. And this humidity will turn to ice in the cold and vacuum of space. Euclid is no exception to this. If this humidity collects on optical surfaces like mirrors, it will affect the optical performance of a space telescope. For this reason Euclid will undergo a second targeted de-icing process over the next days.
…Euclid de-icing campaign #2 Read More ยป
Euclid survey operations have only started in February, and tuning the science data pipeline will take several more months. The first results from Euclid’s wide and deep main surveys will take until fall, first cosmology papers at least until late 2025.
However, before Euclid’s surveys started, the special ‘Early Release Observation’ (ERO) programme was initiated by ESA. A call was made to propose astronomical targets and connected science cases to showcase the capabilities of Euclid and its two instruments, VIS and NISP. A selection was done, 17 targets were observed in November and December 2023, and today, May 23rd, 2024, ESA and the Euclid Consortium has published the first ERO science results!
…First Early Release Observation science and reference paper releaseRead More »
First Early Release Observation science and reference paper release Read More ยป
Euclid is a space mission planned, built, and operated by more than 2000 scientists and engineers across Europe and other countries. In Portraits of Euclideans we showcase the people behind the mission.
In this portrait: Valeria Pettorino, ESA Euclid Project Scientist
…Portraits of Euclideans – Valeria Pettorino Read More ยป
Every space mission starts on Earth, in humid air and warm temperatures. After launch all satellites are then exposed to the vacuum of space, all air just rushes out, and everything cools down fast, to freezing temperatures of -150ยฐC in the case of the Euclid space telescope. Once in space all that is left is the metal and Silicon Carbide and other materials that the instruments are made of. And a bit of water – which has consequences if it ends up as a thin layer on mirrors or lenses. Euclid just successfully removed ice and gained 15% of light transmission.
…Euclid successfully de-iced, gains 15% sensitivityRead More »
Euclid successfully de-iced, gains 15% sensitivity Read More ยป
