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● TRACKER Updated 4d ago · 32 sources tracked

This is the largest and most detailed image of our Milky Way

Astronomers have produced the largest two-dimensional map of the universe to date. The map consists of 5.6 trillion pixels and includes nearly 4 billion cosmic objects. This development follows other high-resolution astronomical achievements, including the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope capturing solar details smaller than 12 miles across and the James Webb Space Telescope identifying gas-shrouded black hole stars from the early universe. These tools allow scientists to study the cosmic dawn and the structure of the universe at an unprecedented scale.

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What changed

Astronomers released a 2D map of the universe containing nearly 4 billion cosmic objects and 5.6 trillion pixels.

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  1. Astronomers Release Largest 2D Map of the Universe

    Astronomers have produced the largest two-dimensional map of the universe to date. The map consists of 5.6 trillion pixels and includes nearly 4 billion cosmic objects. This development follows other high-resolution astronomical achievements, including the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope capturing solar details smaller than 12 miles across and the James Webb Space Telescope identifying gas-shrouded black hole stars from the early universe. These tools allow scientists to study the cosmic dawn and the structure of the universe at an unprecedented scale.

    Why it matters

    Mapping the universe helps scientists understand the distribution of matter and the evolution of galaxies since the Big Bang. This follows the European Space Agency's Euclid telescope imaging the Milky Way's galactic bulge. Such data allows for better identification of exoplanets and the nature of early black holes.

    What is confirmed

    • The largest two-dimensional map of the universe contains 5.6 trillion pixels and nearly 4 billion cosmic objects.
    • The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope captured images of the sun with details smaller than 12 miles across.
    • The James Webb Space Telescope identified gas-shrouded black hole stars that appeared as little red dots in deep-space images.
    • A total solar eclipse occurred on August 12, 2026, with totality over Spain.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Galaxy IC 1101 is the largest known galaxy and is wider than 17 Milky Ways.

    What to watch next

    • Further analysis of the 4 billion objects in the new 2D map
    • Additional evidence linking black hole stars to the little red dot mystery
    Sources used for this update (8)
    1. www.orlandosentinel.com — Space news, launches and Artemis information for NASA's Kennedy Space ...
    2. www.sciencenews.org — The largest known galaxy is wider than 17 Milky Ways
    3. consent.yahoo.com — Astronomers just released a map of universe so big it contains 4 billion objects
    4. www.space.com — Scientists create largest 2D map of the universe with 5.6 trillion pixels and nearly 4 billion cosmic objects
    5. www.scientificamerican.com — See the 2026 total solar eclipse from around the world
    6. www.thisiscolossal.com — Get Up Close to the Sun in the Highest Resolution Image Ever Captured
    7. www.scientificamerican.com — ‘Black hole stars’ from the dawn of the universe are coming into focus
    8. www.space.com — Farthest 'black hole star' ever found could help solve the James Webb Space Telescope's little red dot mystery
    confidence 90%

  2. Milky Way's largest image reveals 60 million stars

    The European Space Agency's Euclid telescope captured a detailed image of the galactic bulge, containing over 60 million stars and 50 exoplanet systems. This dataset will help astronomers locate more exoplanets. Meanwhile, other telescopes have captured high-resolution images of distant galaxies and the sun's surface.

    Why it matters

    The Milky Way galaxy is a subject of ongoing research, with scientists studying its structure, composition, and potential for supporting life. Recent advancements in telescope technology have enabled the capture of high-resolution images of celestial objects. These images provide valuable insights into the universe and its many mysteries.

    What is confirmed

    • The European Space Agency used the Euclid telescope to image the galactic bulge in visible light.
    • The resulting image contains over 60 million stars and 50 exoplanet systems.
    • Astronomers plan to use this dataset to locate more exoplanets.
    • The Vera Rubin Observatory captured an image featuring hundreds of thousands of distant galaxies in and around the COSMOS field.
    • The observatory recently began its 10-year survey of the southern sky using the world's largest digital camera.
    • Researchers obtained high-resolution observations of the Sun's visible surface using the Inouye Solar Telescope in Hawaii.

    What to watch next

    • The Vera Rubin Observatory's 10-year survey of the southern sky
    • Further analysis of the Euclid telescope's dataset for exoplanet discovery
    • Future releases of high-resolution images from the Inouye Solar Telescope
    Sources used for this update (9)
    1. www.wionews.com — World's largest digital camera captures over 500,000 galaxies, 50,000 stars in one stunning image
    2. Phys.org — Rubin Observatory opens a deep window on a famous cosmic field
    3. gizmodo.com — Rubin Gets a Closer Look at the COSMOS Field, Revealing More Than 650,000 Galaxies in One Image
    4. gizmodo.com — These Are the Sharpest Images Ever Taken of the Sun, and They Might Solve a Decades-Old Mystery
    5. www.digitalcameraworld.com — Scientists capture highest-resolution photos of the Sun’s surface ever, revealing “tiny engines” driving solar activity
    6. www.cbsnews.com — Most detailed images ever taken of sun's surface revealed: "Major step forward"
    7. www.scientificamerican.com — Spectacular images reveal never-before-seen whirlpools on the sun
    8. apnews.com — New images of the sun show its surface in the finest detail yet
    9. www.zmescience.com — The Vera Rubin Observatory Captures More Than 500,000 Galaxies in a Single Image
    confidence 90%

  3. Milky Way's largest image reveals 60 million stars

    The European Space Agency's Euclid telescope captured a detailed image of the galactic bulge, containing over 60 million stars and 50 exoplanet systems. This dataset will help astronomers locate more exoplanets. Meanwhile, other recent astronomical images include the Vera Rubin Observatory's capture of over 500,000 galaxies and the Inouye Solar Telescope's high-resolution images of the Sun's surface.

    Why it matters

    These images showcase advancements in astronomical observation and digital camera technology. The Euclid telescope and Vera Rubin Observatory have significantly expanded our understanding of the galaxy and distant cosmic structures. High-resolution images of the Sun's surface may help solve long-standing mysteries about solar activity.

    What is confirmed

    • The Vera Rubin Observatory's image features over 500,000 galaxies.
    • The Inouye Solar Telescope captured high-resolution images of the Sun's surface.
    • The Euclid telescope's image contains over 60 million stars and 50 exoplanet systems.

    What to watch next

    • The Vera Rubin Observatory's 10-year survey of the southern sky
    • Further analysis of the Euclid telescope's dataset for exoplanet discovery
    • Continued observation of the Sun's surface with the Inouye Solar Telescope
    Sources used for this update (9)
    1. www.wionews.com — World's largest digital camera captures over 500,000 galaxies, 50,000 stars in one stunning image
    2. Phys.org — Rubin Observatory opens a deep window on a famous cosmic field
    3. gizmodo.com — Rubin Gets a Closer Look at the COSMOS Field, Revealing More Than 650,000 Galaxies in One Image
    4. gizmodo.com — These Are the Sharpest Images Ever Taken of the Sun, and They Might Solve a Decades-Old Mystery
    5. www.digitalcameraworld.com — Scientists capture highest-resolution photos of the Sun’s surface ever, revealing “tiny engines” driving solar activity
    6. www.cbsnews.com — Most detailed images ever taken of sun's surface revealed: "Major step forward"
    7. www.scientificamerican.com — Spectacular images reveal never-before-seen whirlpools on the sun
    8. apnews.com — New images of the sun show its surface in the finest detail yet
    9. www.zmescience.com — The Vera Rubin Observatory Captures More Than 500,000 Galaxies in a Single Image
    confidence 85%

  4. Euclid Telescope Captures Detailed Image of Milky Way Bulge

    The European Space Agency used the Euclid telescope to image the galactic bulge in visible light. The resulting image contains over 60 million stars and 50 exoplanet systems. Astronomers plan to use this dataset to locate more exoplanets.

    What's confirmed:

    • The Euclid telescope imaged the Milky Way's galactic bulge in visible light.
    • The image contains over 60 million stars and 50 exoplanet systems.
    Sources used for this update (2)
    1. Meet the astronomer digging into the Milky Way's 'fossils'
    2. Oregon Has A 12-Mile Desert That Looks Just Like Bolivia’s Salt Flats – And Most Americans Have Never Heard Of It
    confidence 100%

  5. Euclid Telescope Captures Detailed Milky Way Image

    The European Space Agency's Euclid telescope has imaged the Milky Way's galactic bulge in visible light. The image includes 50 exoplanet systems and over 60 million stars. Astronomers intend to use this data to find new exoplanets.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The Euclid telescope image captures over 60 million stars and 50 exoplanet systems.
    • Canadian researchers helped create the most detailed map of dark matter in the Northern Hemisphere.
    • The DwarfLab Dwarf 3 is a portable smart telescope with dual lenses.
    Sources used for this update (3)
    1. DwarfLab Dwarf 3 Review: Small Scope, Big Versatility for Budding Astrophotographers
    2. A Little-Known Photographer Captured the First Clear Image of a Total Solar Eclipse 175 Years Ago. Today, These Celestial Events Still Reveal the Mysteries of the Sun
    3. Canadian researchers help create most detailed dark matter map of Northern Hemisphere
    confidence 50%

  6. ESA's Euclid Telescope Captures Most Detailed Image of Milky Way Center

    The European Space Agency's Euclid telescope has produced the largest and most detailed visible light image of the Milky Way's galactic bulge. The photo captures over 60 million stars and 50 exoplanet systems. This data is expected to assist astronomers in hunting for new exoplanets.

    What's confirmed:

    • The European Space Agency's Euclid telescope captured the largest and most detailed visible light photo of the Milky Way's center.
    • The image contains over 60 million stars.
    • The photo was taken on March 23, 2025.
    • Euclid is designed to study dark matter and dark energy.
    • The image shows 50 exoplanet systems.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The number of known exoplanets could increase from about 6,000 to more than 100,000.
    • Euclid spent a total of 26 hours taking the photo across nine separate pointings.
    • The telescope weighs two tons.
    Sources used for this update (20)
    1. ESA’s Euclid captures the Milky Way’s crowded heart
    2. Telescope captures most detailed image yet of Milky Way's heart: "Cosmic magnifying glass"
    3. Millions of stars light up largest and most detailed shot of Milky Way’s centre
    4. Euclid View of Milky Way Heart Previews Core Survey by NASA’s Roman
    5. This is the largest and most detailed image of our Milky Way — with over 60 million stars and 50 exoplanet systems
    6. New 60-Million-Star View Of Milky Way Opens Window For Exoplanet Hunting
    7. European Space Agency's Euclid Captures The Star-Filled Center Of The Milky Way
    8. Milky Way's Heart Shines Like a Diamond in Record-Breaking New Photos
    9. See the Most Detailed Photo of the Milky Way’s Heart Ever Taken in Visible Light, Which Will Help Astronomers Hunt for Exoplanets
    10. Millions of stars light up largest and most detailed shot of Milky Way ...
    11. This Is the Most Detailed Photo of the Milky Way's Center Ever Taken
    12. Over 60 million stars dazzle in new image of the Milky Way
    confidence 100%