Map of the Universe Mission on Track

An ambitious mission by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to create a new, high resolution map of the universe has returned its first pictures.

The AKARI infrared space telescope was launched from the Uchinoura Space Center in Japan in February to make its All-Sky Survey at infrared wavelengths.

AKARI, a partnership project between Japan and the European Space Agency, involves scientific teams from Britain’s Imperial College London, Open University, and the University of Sussex along with The Netherlands’ Institute for Space Research and Groningen University. AKARI is the world’s most advanced infrared telescope.

Glenn White, professor of astronomy at Britain’s Open University, said, The AKARI mission will redefine our view of the Universe at infrared wavelengths, achieving considerably sharper images through its improved higher spatial resolution and sensitivity over the whole sky than previously available. It offers a major new observatory facility to probe the cradles of star formation.