Largest 2D Map of the Universe Released: 5.6 Trillion Pixels, 4 Billion Objects
Scientists release biggest 2D map of the universe
The DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys team has released the largest 2D color map of the universe, containing 5.6 trillion pixels and nearly 4 billion celestial objects. Built from over 263,000 telescope exposures, the map covers 75% of the sky and is publicly accessible. It will serve as a foundation for the DESI 3D survey and future telescopes, aiding research on dark matter, dark energy, and rare phenomena.
It's part of the fabric of astronomy research now. When you're working with astronomical objects today, you often start by pulling up the Legacy Imaging Viewer to see what you're looking at.