Project description
Uncovering new insight into dark matter and energy from Euclid satellite data
The true nature of dark matter and dark energy continue to be elusive. They influence galaxy and cosmic structure evolution over billions of years. Understanding them requires precise measurements and accurate models of how matter behaves on both large and small scales. However, interpreting such data (stemming from the Euclid satellite, launched by the European Space Agency) is complex as errors in modelling galaxy populations, astrophysical processes or instrument effects can lead to misleading results. The ERC-funded OCULIS project will refine how Euclid’s data is analysed. Researchers will improve lensing signal measurements and use innovative methods to relate galaxy properties to matter distribution. They will also correct instrumental biases, study galaxy alignments, and use Euclid’s data to measure stellar masses and stripping of dark matter haloes.
Objective
The current standard model of cosmology successfully describes a variety of measurements, but its main ingredients, dark matter and dark energy, are a great mystery. ESA’s Euclid satellite is the biggest step forward towards solving this fundamental problem in physics. It is designed to reveal the nature of the dark constituents and gravity by measuring the growth of structure over most of cosmic time with unprecedented precision, but the interpretation of the data is complex: incorrect modelling of the galaxy populations, astrophysical processes or instrumental effects can easily be mistaken as evidence for new physics. To fully exploit the statistical power of Euclid, the intricacies of the data need to be understood, but we also need an accurate model of structure formation that can describe the interplay between galaxy formation, astrophysics, dark matter and cosmology.
OCULIS tackles both aspects by providing the best measurements of the lensing signal and using the Euclid data in novel ways to relate observed galaxy properties directly to the matter distribution. To do so, we will (i) use in-flight data to correct for instrumental biases; (ii) measure the intrinsic alignments of galaxies that contaminate the lensing signal; (iii) exploit Euclid’s unique ability to determine the lensing signal on small scales to directly determine the stellar masses of galaxies for the first time, and to study the tidal stripping of dark matter halos; (iv) use the results to inform models that describe the small-scale astrophysics in hydrodynamic simulations, yielding robust predictions of the cosmological signals. As cosmology coordinator of the Euclid mission, the PI is uniquely positioned to achieve these objectives. The synergetic approach of OCULIS exploits that Euclid is much more than a cosmology mission: it is also a prime dataset for the study of the formation and evolution of galaxies. By linking both science cases, OCULIS maximizes the scientific return of Euclid.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy astrophysics black holes
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy astrophysics dark matter
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy physical cosmology
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2021-ADG
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2311 EZ Leiden
Netherlands
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