Scientists release biggest 2D map of the universe

The DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys team has unveiled the most extensive 2D color map of the universe ever created. This vast 5.6-trillion-pixel map contains nearly 4 billion celestial objects, predominantly stars and galaxies, and is now available for exploration and analysis by researchers and citizen scientists through the Legacy Survey Sky Viewer.

The data, gathered from three ground-based sky surveys and supplemented by information from NASA's WISE satellite mission, will enable astronomers to delve into the mysteries of our universe. By studying gravitational lenses, fleeting events like supernovae, and the elusive dark matter and dark energy, scientists hope to unlock new insights into the cosmos.

The map, which covers about 75% of the sky in visible and near-infrared light, is crucial for understanding the expansion history of the universe and the formation of galaxies.

The DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys, initially aimed at preparing for the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) survey, have already produced over 1,800 scientific papers referencing the data. With contributions from more than 160 scientists and a team of 20 for data processing, the new map builds upon earlier versions and will remain a foundational reference for future telescopes.

As new observatories become operational, the Legacy Surveys data will serve as a benchmark for comparing observations and will aid in training artificial intelligence tools for analyzing astronomical data.