Simulation of a type of galaxy that ARRAKIHS will observe.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has given the green light to the development of ARRAKIHS, the first ESA scientific mission led by Spain. The project, scheduled for launch in 2030, aims to study the formation and evolution of galaxies by observing extremely faint structures surrounding systems similar to the Milky Way.

One of the most significant aspects of the mission will be its contribution to the study of dark matter, an invisible substance that does not emit or reflect light, but whose presence can be detected through its gravitational effects. Although it is estimated to make up about a quarter of the universe, its nature remains one of the greatest mysteries in modern physics.

To address this challenge, ARRAKIHS will use an innovative observatory composed of four small high-precision telescopes capable of detecting stellar streams and remnants of galaxies absorbed billions of years ago. The analysis of these structures will allow scientists to verify whether current cosmological models accurately describe the distribution of dark matter in the universe.

Beyond its scientific value, the technology developed for this mission could have practical applications on Earth, such as advanced systems for early wildfire detection or gas leak identification. With this project, Spain takes a leading position in European space exploration and contributes to one of the most ambitious investigations in contemporary astronomy.

Source: Elpais.com