Findings from the Euclid Wide Survey
After only a year and a half of operation, the European space telescope Euclid has discovered 31 quasars dating back to when the universe was less than 800 million years old. These objects were detected within the Euclid Wide Survey, which was not primarily designed to search for such early‑epoch sources.
A valuable sample for early‑universe studies
The newly identified quasars constitute the largest collection of actively accreting supermassive black holes from the universe’s infancy. Their presence offers researchers a unique opportunity to probe galaxy formation and black‑hole growth during the first few hundred million years after the Big Bang.
Methodology and significance
Euclid’s combination of high‑resolution optical and near‑infrared instruments enables the detection of extremely faint, distant signals. Although the survey’s primary goals lie elsewhere, the broad sky coverage and sensitivity have proven highly effective for uncovering ancient quasars.
Future prospects
The current sample will be expanded as Euclid continues its observations, providing deeper insight into the earliest galaxies and refining theoretical models of supermassive black‑hole emergence.