EUCLID
Short Description:
EUCLID is an ESA mission to map the geometry of the dark universe, and better understand the mysterious dark matter and dark energy, which make up most of the energy budget of the cosmos. Both weak lensing and baryonic acoustic oscillation methods are used to achieve this goal.
The EUCLID satellite payload consists of a 1.2 m Korsch telescope with two scientific instruments dedicated to visible imaging (VIS) and to near infrared photometric imaging and spectroscopy (NISP).
Project Type:
Instrument for satellite
MPE Contribution:
MPE was responsible for the overall optical design of the near-infrared NISP instrument, in particular it procured all lenses and their mounts and performed the corresponding functionality tests. In addition to the hardware development, MPE is involved in the scientific data processing of the mission and hosts the German data center. LMU is co-leading the preparation of ground-based complementary data and their merging with the EUCLID visual and infrared data. Both institutes are represented in several science working groups, in the EUCLID Consortium Board and the ESA Science Team.
Status:
In operation near the L2 Lagrange point since 2023. The nominal mission life time will be 6 years.
Links:
Optical and Interpretative Astronomy (web pages of the MPE department involved in the project)
