Hello, young explorers! Are you ready for another exciting journey through space? Together with Paxi, you will uncover the secrets of the universe. From distant planets to glowing stars and swirling galaxies, there is so much to discover!
On each adventure, we will learn how amazing things about space, how ESA explores places beyond Earth, and why the universe is such an incredible place. So, get ready, use your imagination, and get ready to set off on an amazing mission to explore the wonders of space together!
In September 2023, high above planet Earth, floating in the vast darkness of space, Euclid the European Space Agency’s telescope blinked awake. Its grand mission to explore the mysterious universe had just begun!
“I can’t wait to start looking for cosmic secrets!” Euclid cheered with excitement. But before getting started, the scientists back on Earth had to check that all of Euclid’s special space eyes were working properly.
Euclid wasn’t alone on this mission. Right by its side was Paxi, ESA’s official alienaut explorer from a faraway planet who loved learning all about space. “This is so exciting, Euclid! I wonder what mysteries we’ll uncover first!” Paxi said, his antennae wiggling with anticipation.
As Euclid tested its vision, it spotted something strange near a galaxy called NGC 6505. “Hmm… what’s that?” it wondered. Right in the middle of the galaxy, Euclid spotted a glowing ring of light! But there was no giant, hoop-shaped star floating in space…so where did it come from?
Back on Earth, a scientist named Bruno stared at the picture Euclid had sent when he noticed the same strange ring. “What could this be?” he wondered, scratching his head.
Suddenly, a shiny, magical swirl of light appeared next to Euclid and Paxi. Out of the stardust stepped Professor Einstein, with his white fluffy hair and sparkling eyes.
“Well, well, well!” Einstein said with a big smile on his face. “It looks like you’ve found something very special, Euclid! That is an Einstein Ring; it’s named after me!”
“A ring? But where did it come from?” Paxi asked. Euclid zoomed in with its powerful space eyes, ready to investigate.
“Ah! Let me explain,” Einstein said, adjusting his round glasses. “Have you ever looked into a puddle and seen how the sky or trees look wiggly and bent? That happens because the water bends the light. Well, in space, gravity can do the same thing – it bends light too!”
Euclid let out a gasp “So… this ring isn’t really a ring? It’s light coming from a faraway object that got twisted and stretched by the big galaxy in front?”
“Exactly!” Einstein exclaimed. “And the object sending the light is another galaxy, many billions of kilometres away. Imagine your friend Paxi is hiding behind a giant fishbowl. You can’t see him directly, but the glass bends the light, making his face stretch into a funny shape all around the edges! That’s what happens in space! The big galaxy’s gravity bends and stretches the light from the hidden galaxy, warping it into a glowing circle. We call this gravitational lensing, but it looks like a magic trick!”
“Whoa! So, the galaxy is acting like a giant cosmic magnifying glass? That’s incredible!” Paxi beamed.
Bruno, who was still communicating with Euclid and listening from Earth, sprang to his feet. “Euclid, you found one of the clearest Einstein Rings ever! These are very rare, and very difficult to see. Like Paxi said, we can use them like cosmic magnifying glasses to study faraway galaxies and even learn about dark matter, the mysterious material that fills our universe!”
Euclid smiled proudly. “And this is only the beginning! I will try to find thousands more!”
Einstein, delighted by the telescope’s discovery replied, “The Universe is full of secrets, Euclid. Keep looking, I am sure you’re destined to make history!”
With that, the great scientist disappeared in a swirl of stardust. Paxi and Euclid looked at each other, their joy glowing as brightly as the stars around them.
“Let’s keep exploring, Euclid! Who knows what other wonders we’ll find?” Paxi said, floating alongside the telescope.
Euclid agreed. The brave little telescope was just getting started, and together with Paxi, it couldn’t wait to unlock more mysteries of space!
Paxi will be back soon with more exciting discoveries, new questions to explore, and amazing places to visit. Until then, keep looking up at the stars, stay curious, and never stop exploring!
See you soon for our next mission, there’s a whole universe waiting for us!
