Dark energy camera snaps first images ahead of survey

[Deano]

The highest-resolution camera ever built has begun its quest to pin down the mysterious stuff that makes up nearly three-quarters of our Universe.
The camera comprises 62 separate CCDs, the same kind of detector familiar from consumer cameras

The Dark Energy Survey's 570-million-pixel camera will scan some 300 million galaxies in the coming five years.
The goal is to discover the nature of dark energy, which is theorised to be responsible for the ever-faster expansion of the Universe.

Its first image, taken 12 September, focussed on the Fornax galaxy cluster.

In time, along with its massive haul of individual galaxies, it will study 100,000 galaxy clusters - the largest stable structures we know of - and 4,000 supernovae, the bright dying throes of stars.
Full story here from BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19634700

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[TokWW]

Thanks Dean - fascinating!  Read a few more stories too.  Eg BOSS project.

[Suezy]

That is sure one fantastic technical camera. It is amazing what they are doing today - just cant begin to imagin as to what they may come up with in the future.

[Weather Display]

maybe star wars is right....using the force...dark side of the force....(i.e dark energy )
hehe