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.
"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
DESI Science en Español , en Français, 한국어로 , 简体中文 , ქართული , em Português , auf Deutsch , en Català .

Highlights

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Cosmic Cartography

By Claire Lamman, Harvard University

For many, the term “explorers” brings to mind long ocean voyages, adventurers plunging into jungles, and traders discovering new connections between continents. Exploring, as a profession, became obsolete as there were simply no large, unexplored regions left and Earth became thoroughly mapped out.
However, there are still many uncharted regions beyond our planet. [Read More]

Diversity of DESI SV Quasars

by: Victoria Fawcett, Durham University

As the main DESI survey gets truly underway, I want to reflect on the amazing quality of the DESI quasar spectra observed so far. Quasars are incredibly luminous types of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN)… [Read More]

The Beginnings of the 3-Dimensional Map

by: David Schlegel, DESI Project Scientist July 22, 2021 Only eight weeks into DESI’s five-year mission, a 3-dimensional map of the universe is starting to take shape. Plotted below is a “pie diagram” slice through the universe, with earth in the lower left, looking out in the directions of the constellations Virgo, Serpens and Hercules […]

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