Scientists create 3D map of universe

Using the new data, the DESI collaboration has made the most precise measurements to date of how fast the universe has expanded throughout history.

"The team at UQ was responsible for developing one of the key pieces of software used for analysing the survey data, which helps search for a very specific feature in the map," Dr Howlett said.

"The software models the size and shape of the Baryon Acoustic Oscillation (BAO) feature, a remnant of sound waves from the early universe.

"The BAO's size acts as a standard ruler, and by comparing its size at different distances from earth to how big it should have been in the early universe, we can measure the expansion rate of the universe.

"This information allows us to peer 11 billion years into the past and study how the universe has evolved over time and measure the effects of matter and dark energy."

The 3D map is comprised of the spatial coordinates and distances of millions of galaxies.

Researchers can measure the longitudinal and latitudinal position of each galaxy, as well as its unique light 'fingerprint' - observed by measuring the presence of chemical elements like hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.

"We decoded that fingerprint, identified the individual elements, and compared the measured frequencies to those in a lab on Earth to get the distance from us," Dr Howlett said.

"Once we had millions of sky positions and distances, we put each galaxy at its location relative to earth and built a literal 3D map to analyse."

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