Largest Map of the Sky Reveals 13.7 Million HIDDEN Objects

Largest Map of the Sky Reveals 13.7 Million HIDDEN Objects A decade-long international research effort using the LOFAR radio telescope has created the most comprehensive map of the northern sky to date, covering 88% and yielding 13,000 hours of data. This vast dataset, processed using advanced supercomputing, reveals galaxies with unusual structures emanating from supermassive black holes, offering new insights into cosmic evolution. The data, now publicly available, includes detailed radio-wave images of galaxies like Andromeda, showcasing the influence of black holes and star formation.

• The research mapped 88% of the northern sky using over 13,000 hours of data collected over a decade.
• The LOFAR (LOw-Frequency ARray) telescope, an interferometer with 20,000 antennas across Europe, was used for the survey.
• The project processed 18.6 petabytes of data, requiring over 20 million computer hours.
• The resulting images provide a unique view of the universe, including galaxies with structures resembling the Death Star, likely formed by supermassive black holes.
• LOFAR’s view of the Andromeda galaxy shows radio waves generated by its central black hole and star-forming regions.
• The data reveals how black holes shape cosmic evolution and how young stars form.
• The processed data is now publicly available for further research.