Researchers from the University of Southampton are among the first to utilize a groundbreaking telescope that aims to transform our comprehension of the universe. The four-meter Multi-Object Spectroscopic Telescope (4MOST), installed on the VISTA telescope at the European Southern Observatory”s Paranal Observatory in Chile, recently captured its “first light,” marking the initial images of various cosmic objects. This innovative technology splits light into 18,000 color components for meticulous analysis.
Collaborating with scientists from the University of Portsmouth and over 700 researchers globally, the 4MOST project seeks to uncover the formation and evolution of stars, galaxies, and black holes throughout the cosmos. Dr. Chris Frohmaier from the University of Portsmouth”s Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation remarked, “4MOST will enable us to collect spectra for the largest explosions in the Universe at unprecedented volumes and scale.” He highlighted that these explosions, known as supernovae, will facilitate measuring vast distances in the universe and studying the enigmatic force termed Dark Energy, which is responsible for the accelerating expansion of the cosmos.
Unlike traditional telescopes that can gather spectral data from a single object at a time, 4MOST employs over 2,400 extremely thin fibers, each equipped with its own articulated arm. This design allows the telescope to simultaneously observe and analyze light from 2,400 stars or galaxies. The data collected will aid astronomers in compiling a comprehensive catalog of temperatures, chemical compositions, and velocities for tens of millions of celestial objects across the southern sky.
The scientific work stemming from this initiative is largely being conducted by the Time-Domain Extragalactic Survey (TiDES), a collaboration that includes Portsmouth and Southampton as founding members. Dr. Phil Wiseman from the University of Southampton stated, “4MOST is poised to crack the universe”s biggest secrets.” He added that the project will yield the most precise measurements of dark energy to date, unlocking critical insights into the rapid evolution of the universe and building the largest catalog of supermassive black hole masses.
Additionally, the telescope is anticipated to provide new perspectives on star and planet formation, the structure and history of our own Milky Way, and the development of galaxies and black holes over cosmic time.
