Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument
Stored: Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Office of High Energy Physics |
| Top Organization | Department of Energy |
| Creation Legislation | N/A |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | Makes a detailed 3D universe map by measuring galaxy and quasar spectra to study dark energy and its role in cosmic expansion. |
| Program Start | 2015 (construction began) |
| Initial Funding | $56 million from DOE |
| Duration | Until 2026 (operations) |
| Historic | No |
Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) is a scientific research instrument designed to conduct a comprehensive spectrographic survey of the universe. Installed on the Mayall Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory, DESI aims to map the large-scale structure of the cosmos to study dark energy, the mysterious component thought to be driving the accelerated expansion of the universe."Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument". https://www.desi.lbl.gov. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
Goals
- Map the distribution of matter in the universe over 11 billion light-years."Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument". https://www.desi.lbl.gov. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- Constrain models of dark energy by observing baryonic acoustic oscillations (BAO).
- Probe the history of the universe's expansion through spectroscopic data.
Organization
The DESI project is managed by the Office of High Energy Physics within the U.S. Department of Energy, with primary operations run by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). It involves international collaboration, with funding from DOE, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and various international partners. The project director oversees the initiative.
The leader of the program holds the title/position of **Project Director for DESI**.
Partners
- No specific partnerships are listed, but DESI involves a 600-person international scientific collaboration.
History
Construction on DESI began in 2015, with the instrument seeing first light in late 2019. After a period of commissioning and validation, DESI started its primary survey in May 2021. Key historical events include the release of the largest 3D map of the universe in 2022 and ongoing scientific discoveries related to dark energy and the cosmos's structure. The project is set to continue data collection until 2026, with plans for data analysis extending beyond that.
Funding
The initial funding for DESI's construction was $56 million from the DOE, with additional contributions from other sources bringing the total to approximately $75 million."DESI Project at Berkeley Lab". https://www.lbl.gov/desi. Retrieved January 30, 2025. Operational costs are covered by the ongoing support from DOE and international contributions.
Implementation
Implementation involves:
- Deployment of 5,000 robotic fiber positioners to collect light from galaxies.
- A bank of spectrographs to analyze the collected light, determining galaxy distances via redshift.
- Continuous data collection and analysis to construct the 3D map of the universe.
DESI's operations are scheduled to conclude in 2026, with data analysis continuing thereafter.
Related
External links
- https://www.desi.lbl.gov
- wikipedia:Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument
Social media
- No specific social media accounts for DESI; follow Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory or DOE for updates.