Euclid telescope to probe dark universe (BBC)
Jonathan Amos
Science correspondent
Europe has given the final go-ahead to a space mission to investigate the "dark universe".
The Euclid telescope will look deep into the cosmos for clues to the nature of dark matter and dark energy.
These phenomena dominate the Universe, and yet scientists concede they know virtually nothing about them.
European Space Agency (Esa) member states made their decision at a meeting in Paris. Euclid should be ready for launch in 2019.
Esa nations had already selected the telescope as a preferred venture in October last year, but Tuesday's "adoption" by the Science Programme Committee (SPC) means the financing and the technical wherewithal is now in place to proceed.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18503703
http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/area/index.cfm?fareaid=102
