The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument: Exploring Dark Energy, Dark Matter and the Cosmos

COFFEE_KLATCH  · Invited

Abstract

Astronomical observations provide one of the best ways of improving our understanding of two key mysteries: the nature of dark energy and dark matter. The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) project will, over the course of its 5-year mission, measure the redshifts of approximately 40 million astronomical sources, provide detailed measurements of the expansion history of the universe, and deliver sub-percent precision constraints on the equation of state of dark energy. Since DESI is carrying out the largest spectroscopic survey of the universe ever undertaken, its dataset will additionally bear on many key areas in astrophysics. I will present the status of the experiment, describe its current mission, its impact on astrophysics and cosmology, and its possible future roles in expanding our understanding of cosmology and dark matter.

*This research is supported by the Director, Office of Science, Office of High Energy Physics of the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No.DE-AC02-05CH11231, and by the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center, a DOE Office of Science User Facility; additional support is provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation, Division of Astronomical Sciences under Contract No. AST-0950945 to the NSF’s National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory; the Science and Technologies Facilities Council of the United Kingdom; the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; the Heising-Simons Foundation; the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA); the National Council of Science and Technology of Mexico; the Ministry of Economy of Spain, and by the DESI Member Institutions. The project is honored to be permitted to conduct astronomical research on Iolkam Du’ag (Kitt Peak), a mountain with particular significance to the Tohono O’odham Nation.

–

Authors

  • Arjun Dey

    • NSF's National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab)