Astronomy and cosmology enthusiasts have reason to celebrate with the unveiling of the Siena Galaxy Atlas (SGA). This groundbreaking compilation, a product of extensive surveys conducted between 2014 and 2017, provides detailed information on over 380,000 galaxies, bringing us closer to our cosmic neighbors.
The SGA owes its existence to the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) project, which utilized cutting-edge instruments on telescopes operated by the National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab). Covering an expansive area equivalent to nearly half of the night sky, the SGA offers precise data on the locations, shapes, sizes, and even light profiles of these celestial wonders.
What sets the SGA apart is its use of digital images captured with highly sensitive instruments, ensuring unparalleled data accuracy and completeness. This invaluable resource is not exclusive to the scientific community; it is freely accessible to anyone interested in exploring the mysteries of our universe.
The Siena Galaxy Atlas is set to revolutionize multiple facets of astronomy and astrophysics. It empowers scientists to select ideal galaxy samples for focused observations, enabling research into star formation patterns, galaxy morphologies, dark matter distribution, and the identification of sources behind transient signals like gravitational waves.
Photo: NOIRLAB
Source: LULOP
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