Revolutionary 4MOST Telescope Captures First Glimpse of the Universe, Marking a New Era in Cosmic Exploration

4MOST telescope can measure the light of nearly 2,500 celestial objects at a time

(IN BRIEF) The 4MOST telescope, a pioneering international project based at the European Southern Observatory in Chile, has captured its first data, launching a new era in astronomical discovery. Capable of observing 2,500 celestial objects simultaneously, the instrument will study stars, galaxies, and black holes at an unprecedented scale. Scientists from the Universities of Southampton and Portsmouth play leading roles in the Time-Domain Extragalactic Survey (TiDES), which uses 4MOST to investigate cosmic explosions, dark energy, and black hole formation. The team aims to build the largest database of supermassive black holes and thousands of lensed galaxies, deepening understanding of cosmic evolution. With its cutting-edge fibre-optic technology, 4MOST promises to reshape our view of the universe.

(PRESS RELEASE) SOUTHAMPTON, 22-Oct-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — A new chapter in astronomy has begun as the revolutionary 4MOST telescope — the four-metre Multi-Object Spectroscopic Telescope — has captured its first data from deep space, ushering in an era of unprecedented cosmic discovery. Based at the European Southern Observatory in Chile, 4MOST will enable scientists to explore the origins and evolution of stars, planets, galaxies, and black holes with a speed and scale never achieved before.

The groundbreaking telescope, developed through a collaboration of more than 700 scientists worldwide, can simultaneously measure the light from nearly 2,500 celestial objects. This capability allows researchers to examine the chemical composition and physical properties of countless cosmic bodies, dramatically expanding our understanding of the universe.

Researchers from the University of Southampton and the University of Portsmouth are key contributors to the project, particularly through their involvement in the Time-Domain Extragalactic Survey (TiDES) — one of 4MOST’s major research collaborations focusing on cosmic explosions and variable phenomena.

Dr Phil Wiseman from the University of Southampton, who leads analysis on the vast data output from 4MOST, said the project has the potential to redefine astrophysics. “4MOST is poised to crack the universe’s biggest secrets,” he said. “We’ll be getting the most precise measurement ever of dark energy, the mysterious force tearing the cosmos apart. Through TiDES, we’re creating the largest catalogue of supermassive black holes and helping unlock the secrets of the universe’s rapid evolution.”

The TiDES team, co-led by scientists at Southampton and Portsmouth, aims to catalogue 1,000 supermassive black holes and observe around 10,000 lensed galaxies, helping reveal how galaxies grow and how cosmic expansion is driven.

4MOST’s cutting-edge technology includes a network of almost 2,500 ultra-thin fibre cables — each as fine as a human hair — capable of gathering data from multiple points in the sky every 10 to 20 minutes. This design enables astronomers to rapidly map the structure of galaxies and track the formation of black holes across cosmic time.

University of Southampton astrophysics postgraduate researcher Matt Quilt, who recently joined the 4MOST team, expressed his excitement about the project’s potential. “4MOST may find things in the universe never seen before,” he said. “It’s amazing to contribute to something so groundbreaking so early in my research career.”

Dr Chris Frohmaier of the University of Portsmouth added: “4MOST will allow us to collect data on the largest stellar explosions ever recorded, providing insights into the accelerating expansion of the universe caused by dark energy. The volume of data coming from global telescopes will place the UK at the forefront of astrophysical discovery and innovation.”

With its first light now achieved, the 4MOST telescope is set to transform our understanding of the universe’s most powerful forces — from the birth of galaxies to the mystery of dark energy — solidifying the UK’s role in one of the most ambitious astronomical projects of the decade.

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SOURCE: University of Southampton