The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Euclid space telescope has captured the largest, highest-resolution image of the Milky Way’s galactic center ever recorded, showcasing 60 million individual stars. According to the ESA, this mosaic—composed of nine distinct photographs taken over 26 hours in March 2025—serves as a critical tool for mapping exoplanets and studying the gravitational phenomena known as microlensing. The data, processed by astronomers Jean-Charles Cuillandre and E. Bertin, provides an unprecedented look at the dense “bulge” at the heart of our galaxy.
How does the Euclid telescope detect exoplanets?
Euclid identifies planets through a technique called gravitational microlensing, which occurs when a foreground star passes directly in front of a more distant background star. According to the ESA, the closer star acts as a “cosmic magnifying glass,” bending and intensifying the light of the star behind it. If a planet orbits the foreground star, its gravity causes a distinct, measurable flicker in the light, allowing astronomers to confirm the planet’s existence and mass. French astronomer Jean-Philippe Beaulieu noted that while ground-based telescopes have discovered nearly 300 exoplanets using this method over the last two decades, Euclid’s space-based vantage point significantly enhances the precision of these observations.
The image captured by Euclid is so vast that each of the nine segments used to create the mosaic covers an area of the sky larger than the Moon.
Why is the galactic bulge a primary target for research?
The galactic bulge contains billions of stars packed into a relatively small volume, making it the most efficient region for finding planets via microlensing. Jean-Charles Cuillandre of the Euclid mission told AFP that the team specifically pointed the telescope at this bright, crowded area because it offers the highest density of potential “lensing” events. While the original imagery was captured in black and white, the team integrated color data from the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope to create a comprehensive map. This allows researchers to distinguish between stellar populations more effectively than previously possible.
What are the future goals of the Euclid mission?
While this record-breaking image is a major milestone, the Euclid mission’s primary objective remains the exploration of dark matter and dark energy. Launched in 2023 and positioned 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, the telescope is tasked with surveying one-third of the entire sky. According to ESA officials, the current image of the galactic center serves as a “proof of concept” for the telescope’s capability to handle the intense light and complexity of the Milky Way’s core. Scientists expect the mission to assist in studying at least 51 known planetary systems, with many more expected to be cataloged as the survey progresses.
Comparison: Ground-based vs. Space-based Observation
| Feature | Ground-Based Telescopes | Euclid (Space) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Constraint | Atmospheric distortion | None |
| Microlensing History | ~300 planets found | High-resolution mapping |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far away is the Euclid telescope? It is located approximately 1.5 million kilometers (930,000 miles) from Earth.
- Can Euclid see through the dust in the galaxy? The telescope uses visible light, but it is highly sensitive; however, dense molecular clouds like LDN 10 can still obscure parts of the bulge.
- Are there new planets in this specific photo? The current image includes 51 known planetary systems, but its main value is in refining the mass measurements of these and future discoveries.
To see the full-resolution mosaic and zoom into specific star clusters, visit the official European Space Agency website for the latest Euclid data releases.
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