EmbeddingGemma 2: an open, lightweight multimodal embedding model
deepmind.google·6d ago
AI Engineering
Hacker News·Aug 20·5 min read
Scientists Release Biggest 2D Map of the Universe
TL;DR
The DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys team has unveiled the largest 2D color map of the universe, featuring 5.6 trillion pixels and nearly 4 billion celestial objects. This comprehensive map allows astronomers and citizen scientists to explore and analyze the universe in unprecedented detail.
✦ Why It Matters
Explore the new map to enhance your astronomical research or citizen science projects today.
Key Takeaways
- Utilize the Legacy Survey Sky Viewer for exploration.
- Combine personal observations with the new map data.
- Investigate dark energy's effects on the universe.
- Contribute to research by analyzing celestial phenomena.
Full Summary
A groundbreaking 2D color map of the universe has been released by the DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys team, encompassing 5.6 trillion pixels and nearly 4 billion celestial objects, primarily stars and galaxies. This map, covering about 75% of the sky in visible and near-infrared light, allows astronomers and citizen scientists to explore cosmic phenomena and investigate critical mysteries like dark matter and dark energy.
The data was compiled from 263,407 telescope exposures across multiple observatories and supplemented by NASA's WISE satellite data. The map serves as a foundational reference for future telescopes and has already contributed to over 1,800 scientific papers.
Researchers anticipate that this will remain the most comprehensive 2D map for years, aiding in the understanding of the universe's expansion and the formation of galaxies.