The Euclid Space Telescope ’s missionary station is to map the dingy matter and blue energy in the universe so we can learn theirmysterious nature .   Its full field of opinion is crucial to this , but its resolution may not always be up to the task . Fortunately , however , we already have an instrument capable of filling at least part of the gap – the JWST .

Euclid and the JWST have two key features in unwashed . Both operate in the near - infrared , at wavelengths predominantly too long for the human centre , and both will be located at Lagrange point 2 . However , where the JWST has the content to peer back almost to thedawn of timeor standard theatmospheres of planetsaround other stars . Euclid can not go so deep .

Instead , Euclid ’s strength lies in its wide-cut subject , 2.5 clip times as turgid as the full Moon . In this room it will contemplate some 1.5 billion galaxies across all the sky not obscured by the Milky Way or zodiacal luminosity . It is hoped that what it learns about their shape and dispersion will distinguish between competing framework of the development of the cosmos .

“ Where Webb can observe extremely far back in metre and whizz along into the details , Euclid can go fast and full , ” the European Space Agency ( ESA)writes . “ In a single observance Euclid can record the information from an country of the sky more than one hundred times bigger than that figure by Webb ’s tv camera , NIRCam . ”

Euclid also has the rather useful lineament of be around 10 percent of the JWST’seye - lachrymation price . Being much little , it also wo n’t require the sameslow and delicate unfolding .

Euclid will attempt to reply five of the bighearted question one can opine , according toESA :

If it fulfils even one of these it will be a bawl out winner . More in all probability , it will take us a few step along the road to each of them , and hopefully channelise the path by which other instrument can take matter further . In the shortsighted term , that will preponderantly be the JWST .

Space.comquotes Euclid project scientist René Laureijs as saying , " It would be beautiful if the two scope are online and James Webb could follow up the new determination of Euclid . "

Euclid ’s mirror is smaller than Hubble ’s , get alone the JWST , so its answer will be similarly limited . Lacking the electrical capacity to see the population in great contingent , Euclid should find things of interest that take further exploration . In some cause this may be potential from Earth using telescopes that lock in seeable light or radio waves . Often , however , we will want something that can see further but at the same frequency as Euclid , and while the forthcoming scope can see wavelengths as unforesightful as green light , for most of its spectrum that means the JWST .

For good example , one of Euclid ’s tasks is to study the way twinkle from distant galaxies is impress by passing through the gravitational field of closer 1 . If any of these stand out as particularly unusual or substantial , higher - resoluteness studies may be required .

One trouble is that the JWST is already a twelvemonth into its hoped-for five - class deputation . While over - carrying into action during launch means it may have the fuel togo a little longer , it wo n’t last forever . Euclid , with an anticipated 6 - year mission , will probably outlast it , and will have to look on theNancy Grace Roman Space Telescopelaunching much closer to its think date than the JWST did .