Mission to Probe the Universe's Darkest Secrets

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In summary, the mission known as Euclid, which is set to launch in 2020, is expected to provide significant insights and constraints on the nature of dark energy and the accelerated expansion of the universe. There is a high probability that it will confirm the current Lambda-CDM model of cosmology, with a small chance of detecting something new. It will also gather valuable information on galaxies and their evolution. The main goal of the mission is to measure the value of w, the parameter that describes dark energy, to a higher level of accuracy. It may also measure other parameters such as the first time derivative of w. Overall, Euclid is expected to greatly contribute to our understanding of the universe's darkest mysteries.
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  • #2
skydivephil said:
http://phys.org/news/2012-06-mission-go-ahead-probe-universe-darkest.html

So what reasonable expectation can we have from this mission?
We should be able to have far, far better constraints on the nature of the accelerated expansion. This kind of satellite can really do a great job at nailing that down. The website there mentions dark matter, but that's basically a solved problem, at least in terms of its effects on cosmology.

I'd say that there's about an 80%-90% chance that Euclid will confirm the Lambda-CDM model of cosmology yet again. So a fairly small chance that it will detect something fundamentally new about the nature of the accelerated expansion. It will, however, bring in a treasure trove of information for people interested in studying galaxies, as it will be observing very large numbers of galaxies in the process of doing its mission to measure the accelerated expansion.
 
  • #3
Are we talking about trying to measure w to a higher level of accuracy? If so the only revolutionary discovery will be if we got a non -1 answer right?
 
  • #4
skydivephil said:
Are we talking about trying to measure w to a higher level of accuracy? If so the only revolutionary discovery will be if we got a non -1 answer right?
Well, there are other ways to parameterize dark energy, but yes, this is essentially correct.
 
  • #5
skydivephil said:
Are we talking about trying to measure w to a higher level of accuracy? If so the only revolutionary discovery will be if we got a non -1 answer right?

I think they should also be able to measure/constrain the first time derivative of w as well?
 
  • #6
nicksauce said:
I think they should also be able to measure/constrain the first time derivative of w as well?
Well, what's usually done now is to take w_0 (the value of w today) and w_a (the derivative of w with respect to the scale factor a). But there are other possibilities as well. Either way, Euclid should offer some pretty tremendous constraints on dark energy compared to current constraints, no matter what sort of parameters you use.
 

What is the goal of a "Mission to Probe the Universe's Darkest Secrets"?

The goal of this mission is to use advanced technology and scientific instruments to gather data and study the most mysterious and elusive objects in our universe, such as black holes, dark matter, and dark energy.

What kind of technology will be used in this mission?

This mission will use a variety of cutting-edge technology, including powerful telescopes, advanced imaging techniques, and sophisticated spacecraft and probes. It may also utilize emerging technologies, such as quantum computing and artificial intelligence, to analyze and interpret the collected data.

What are some potential benefits of this mission?

By studying the universe's darkest secrets, we can gain a better understanding of the fundamental laws of physics and the origins and evolution of the universe. This knowledge can also have practical applications, such as improving our understanding of gravity, developing new technologies, and potentially discovering new sources of energy.

What are some challenges that may arise during this mission?

One of the biggest challenges is the vast distances and extreme conditions of space, which can make it difficult to gather accurate data. Another challenge is the complexity and unknown nature of the objects and phenomena being studied, which may require new theories and models to be developed.

How will the data collected be shared and used?

The data collected from this mission will be made available to the scientific community and the public, allowing for collaboration and further research. It may also be used to inform and inspire the general public about the wonders of the universe and the importance of scientific exploration and discovery.

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