Scientists observe two million galaxies and stars for first time while creating 3D map of universe

SCIENTISTS have now observed two million galaxies and stars for the first time to create a 3D map of the universe.

The study used the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (Desi) to take thousands of pictures of the night sky.

Researchers at Durham University observed the extragalactic objects to reveal the rate that the universe is expanding.

The study's first batch of data comes from more than 3,500 exposures of the night sky taken over six months.

It comprises of a whopping 80 terabytes.

The latest release is the project's first step in mapping more than 40million galaxies, quasars and stars.

Carlos Frenk, a professor from Durham University, said that “Desi is the most ambitious venture to date”.

He said: “It seeks answers to some of the most fundamental questions in science - what is our universe made of?

“How did it get to be the way it is?

“What does the future hold?

“Durham astronomers are playing a leading role within this large international collaboration and are at the forefront of efforts to interpret the unique data that Desi is seamlessly delivering.”