Researchers develop a Google Maps of the universe -

Geeko

Australian astronomers have managed to map 83% of the sky in just ten days thanks to a new radio telescope, the ASKAP (Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder).

In total, there are about three million unknown galaxies hitherto spotted in just 300 hours as part of the Rapid ASKAP Continuum Survey program.

This is a record both in terms of the number of galaxies identified and the time it took researchers to achieve it.

The radio telescope has thus created "a map of the Universe more detailed than ever and at record speed", collecting no less than 13.5 exabytes of raw data.

Thanks to the Galaxy supercomputer at the Pawsey Supercomputing Center, it was possible to convert this data into 2D images containing no less than 70 billion pixels.

Uncover the secrets of the universe

Google Maps of the Universe is made up of 903 images combined into one to form a sky map and a great help to scientists in unlocking the deepest secrets of the universe.

"All of this is made possible by innovative receivers developed by CSIRO that incorporate progressive scan power technology, which sees ASKAP generating more raw data at a faster rate than all of Australia's internet traffic." , said the CEO of CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, Dr Larry Marshall.

The radio telescope takes advantage of a "wide field of view, generated by new receivers designed by CSIRO, which allow ASKAP to take panoramic photos of the sky in amazing detail".

The astronomical tool is based on the electromagnetic spectrum emitted by most objects in the universe to detect them, but also to study them.

Its technology has made it possible to map the sky faster than ever before, going from years to just weeks, paving the way for potential new scientific discoveries.

"This census of the Universe will be used by astronomers around the world to explore the unknown and study everything from star formation to how galaxies and their super-massive black holes evolve and interact," said the Dr David McConnell, senior author and CSIRO astronomer.

Science

NASA buys samples of lunar soil for a dollar

Science

A "fossil galaxy" has just been discovered in the Milky Way

  • High Tech

  • Space

  • Science

  • Google maps

  • Astronomy

  • Galaxy

  • Universe

  • Mapping