About the project
According to current research, we understand only five percent of the existing matter in our universe. The rest consists of the previously unknown dark matter and its mysterious power – the so-called "dark energy". To gain further insights into the dark universe, special equipment is needed.
Euclid is a space telescope used to explore such areas. The goal is to map the 3D distribution of up to two billion galaxies and the dark matter associated with them. To this end, Euclid is precisely measureing the accelerated expansion of the universe and the strength of gravity on cosmological scales. By using Euclid to study dark matter and its effects on the shapes and locations of galaxies, astronomers hope to come closer to understanding dark matters true nature and influence.
Almost 1,000 scientists from 100 institutes form the Euclid consortium, consisting of scientists from 13 European countries. It also includes a team of scientists from NASA the US space agency.
Our contribution
The Euclid space telescope uses an infrared photometer that has the ability to take images at various wavelengths. This process requires a filter wheel with different filters. One of these filters is the Heraeus product Suprasil 3001, which meets exactly the scientists requirements due to its low absorption and good transmission in the infrared wavelength range at extremely low temperatures.
