Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI)

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The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI)

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) will measure the effect of dark energy on the expansion of the universe. It will obtain optical spectra for tens of millions of galaxies and quasars, constructing a 3D map spanning the nearby universe to 11 billion light years.

The DESI Survey will be conducted on the Mayall 4-meter telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory starting in 2019. DESI is supported by the Department of Energy Office of Science to perform this Stage IV dark energy measurement using baryon acoustic oscillations and other techniques that rely on spectroscopic measurements.
"Successful launch of Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Follows Record-Setting Test Phase.
Five-year international collaboration, under the aegis of Berkeley Lab, aims for 3D map of the universe, unraveling of mysterious dark energy"
See the Press Release and related blog posts

Highlights

ANNOUNCEMENTS

What do DESI’s 5000 eyes see?

DESI will collect spectra from over 30 million galaxies across 11 billion years, a feat that will result in the largest 3D map of the universe ever created.

Prof. David Kirkby at UC Irvine created an interactive 3D visualization that helps put into perspective exactly how ambitious of an undertaking this is. [Read More]

Plugging Away

On the eve of the official start of the DESI science survey, I wanted to take a minute to reflect on how we arrived at this exciting moment.   We’ve now proven that we can obtain 100,000 science-quality spectra in a single night, so we are ready! [Read More]

DESI begins search for elusive dark energy

The discovery of cosmic acceleration over twenty years ago captured the imagination of the general public and professional scientists alike, and the cause of this acceleration remains one of the greatest, unsolved questions in science. [Read More…] 

Successful Start of Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Follows Record-Setting Trial Run
– Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 5/17/2020

Now Complete, Telescope Instrument is Poised to Begin Its Search for Answers About Dark Energy

– Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 6/1/2020

DESI Opens Its 5,000 Eyes to Capture the Colors of the Cosmos
 – Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 10/28/2019

Dark Energy Instrument’s Lenses See the Night Sky for the First Time
 – Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 4/3/2019