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 is being conducted on the Mayall 4-meter telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory. 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.

"DESI Early Data Release Holds Nearly Two Million Objects

The first batch of data from DESI is now available for researchers to mine. Taken during the experiment’s Survey Validation phase, the data include distant galaxies and quasars as well as stars in our own Milky Way."
See the Press Release from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab
DESI Science
en Español,
en Français,
한국어로,
简体中文,
ქართული,
em Português,
auf Deutsch,
en Català,
in Italiano.

5000 Eyes: Mapping the Universe with DESI is out now!

DESI's very own planetarium show is available for free to all planetariums. See the trailer and find more information here.
Translations in French, Spanish, Mandarin, and German are now available.

Highlights

DESI Begins

Latest Blog Posts

A very nearby Type II Supernova in the Galaxy Messier 101

Dillon Brout, Harvard University June 16, 2023 The universe (and especially Messier 101) never ceases to amaze us. Recently, a remarkable Type II supernova event unfolded in the nearby “Pinwheel galaxy” (M101), captivating astronomers worldwide. We are just 12 years removed from the famed supernova 2011fe residing in M101 and that sparked its own paradigm […]

The DESI Early Data Release is now available

The first public release of DESI data is now available! Taken during DESI’s Survey Validation phase, the Early Data Release (EDR) includes spectra and redshifts for 1.2 million galaxies and quasars, as well as observations of nearly half a million stars in our own Milky Way galaxy. The DESI Early Data Release by the numbers: Amount […]

The new DESI ambassador: BaoBan

The story behind creating and naming our favorite coyote. Samuel Brieden, The University of Edinburgh May 12, 2023 Welcome our new DESI ambassador for Education and Public Outreach (EPO), BaoBan! You might have met him already, when he was presenting our powerful focal plane (see a virtual tour through it here) or wishing a happy […]

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Latest Press Releases

DESI Early Data Release Holds Nearly Two Million Objects
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 13 June 2023

New DESI Planetarium Show to Premiere in 2023
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 27 February 2023

DESI Resumes Cataloguing the Cosmos
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 7 October 2022

Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument Creates Largest 3D Map of the Cosmos
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 13 January 2022