Euclid Telescope Unveils Thousands of Dwarf Galaxies, Revolutionizing Understanding of Galaxy Evolution

The Euclid Space Telescope, operated by the European Space Agency (ESA), has identified 2,674 dwarf galaxies through its latest wide-scale data analysis. This discovery highlights Euclid's capacity to provide a comprehensive view of galaxy formation across various scales and environments. Dwarf galaxies, smaller than their larger counterparts, are crucial for understanding galaxy evolution, often forming during the early stages of larger galaxies or through galactic collisions. The research, led by Francine Marleau from the University of Innsbruck, utilized Euclid's unprecedented depth and resolution to characterize these faint galaxies, determining their distances, stellar masses, and environments. The findings indicate that 58% of the identified galaxies are elliptical dwarfs, while 42% are irregular dwarfs. A small percentage showed characteristics such as globular clusters, galactic nuclei, or blue compact dwarf features, offering insights into star formation and galactic structure. Launched in July 2023, Euclid continues to map the cosmos in 3D, aiming to understand dark matter and dark energy. This recent analysis underscores its significant impact on astronomical research, particularly in studying the evolution and characteristics of dwarf galaxies.