The release contains 1.7 million GB of data across 1,900 square degrees of sky, with over 900 million galaxies and 15,000 strong gravitational lens candidates for researchers to study.
The European Space Agency has released DR1-Foundation, the first major dataset from its Euclid mission. It reveals more than 900 million galaxies and captures light from more than 1 billion objects, Physics World says.
The release contains 1.7 million GB of data from around 13 months of observations, covering 1,900 square degrees of sky. It includes 15,000 candidates for strong gravitational lenses, which researchers can study for clues about dark matter.
The earlier preliminary release in 2025 contained a few days of observations across about 60 square degrees. Euclid uses a telescope, camera and spectrometer to map the distribution of galaxies in three dimensions.
ESA science director Carole Mundell described the release as the largest space-based survey of its kind, laying a foundation for future astronomical discoveries. Euclid project scientist Valeria Pettorino said the release of more than a year of data covering a substantially larger area enables “ground-breaking science.”
Strong gravitational lensing occurs when the gravity of a foreground galaxy bends and magnifies light from a more distant galaxy, making it appear as bright arcs or rings. Dark matter adds mass to a galaxy and strengthens the effect; its distribution also influences the lensing.
Andy Taylor, who leads Euclid’s UK science ground segment, told the Guardian that scientists previously knew of about 1,000 strong-lensing cases. The Euclid cases are candidates rather than confirmed discoveries. Taylor said studying them may allow scientists to rule out some theories about the nature of dark matter.
The dataset also contains more than 60 million quasar candidates, which Physics World says will help researchers understand the first generation of galaxies.
Eurostat says 1.4 million tonnes were treated that year, with recycling accounting for 78% of the treated waste.
Euclid launched in July 2023, released its first images in November 2023 and began routine observations in February 2024. Its first science results followed in May 2024. The Euclid Consortium has about 2,600 members from more than 15 countries.
The new dataset covers about 14% of the sky area Euclid is intended to survey. Its first full data release is scheduled for mid-2027.
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Adds context on previously known lensing cases and how the candidates could help test dark matter theories.
