Largest-ever 3D map of the universe shows 47 million galaxies, from the Milky Way to 'cosmic noon'
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By Jamie Carter
Published on April 19, 2026.
The largest 3D map of the universe was shared on April 17, 2026 by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, using 5,000 robotic fiber-optic sensors to capture light from distant celestial objects. The five-year survey, which was intended to gather data on 34 million galaxies and quasars, detected over 47 million, along with over 20 million nearby stars in the Milky Way. The image shows a web-like structure formed by millions of galaxies, stretching back to near the dawn of time. The three-dimensional view also reveals how galaxies have moved and clustered over time, helping scientists track how dark energy has influenced the structure of the cosmos. The DESI will continue observing the sky through 2028, expanding its map by about 20%. Early DESI data suggests a breakthrough in understanding the universe's evolution and its future.
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