Charting Cosmic History with DESI
About this Event
Join us for a remarkable journey through the largest high-resolution 3D map of the universe ever created.
Using the Hansen Dome Theatre's cutting-edge visualization technology, you'll fly through a dataset of 47 million galaxies and quasars captured by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Survey over five years. This immersive live domecast is guided by Dr. Kyle Dawson, University of Utah astronomer, former DESI Co-Spokesperson, and DESI-2 Survey Scientist, who helped lead this historic international effort.
In an historic achievement spanning five years, in 2026 the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Survey completed its mapping of a staggering 47 million galaxies and quasars, creating the largest high-resolution 3D map of our Universe to date. The 5,000 fiber-optic eyes attached to a giant telescope in Arizona undertook the survey, starting at each patch of sky spanning 6 full-moon widths for 20 minutes.
And now, on August 5, 2026, Digistar Domecasting brings to the full dataset and explains how the survey was performed, guided by one of the leading astronomers involved in the survey, University of Utah’s Dr Kyle Dawson. This unique opportunity gives an insider’s view of the survey, connects with audiences all over the world, and allows a Q&A with the speaker.
By comparing how galaxies clustered in the past with their distribution today, researchers can trace dark energy’s influence over 11 billion years of cosmic history.
Fly with us to Arizona to visit the U.S. National Science Foundation Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter telescope. We unveil key parts of the elaborate instrument, describe how the sky survey was performed, and fly through the millions of galaxies that map the large-scale structure of the universe in unprecedented detail. It’s the largest high-resolution 3D map of the Universe ever made. Researchers are using the map to explore dark energy, the fundamental and mysterious ingredient that makes up about 70% of our Universe and is driving its accelerating expansion. By comparing how galaxies clustered in the past with their distribution today, researchers can trace dark energy’s influence over 11 billion years of cosmic history.
Whether you're a space enthusiast or simply curious about the universe, this is a rare chance to experience one of astronomy's greatest achievements alongside one of the scientists who helped make it possible.
DR. KYLE DAWSON joined the University of Utah in 2009 after completing a postdoctoral researcher position at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He is now a full Professor and the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Dr. Dawson was the DESI co-Spokesperson from 2020 to 2024 and DESI-2 Survey Scientist.
Image Credits: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab/KPNO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA and Claire Lamman/DESI collaboration
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