Groundbreaking Recognition for DESI's Cosmic Mapping

The American Astronomical Society (AAS) has announced a momentous accolade for the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) collaboration: the 2026 Lancelot M. Berkeley-New York Community Trust Prize for Meritorious Work in Astronomy. This honor highlights the pioneering research at the helm of astronomical discovery.

A Global Effort in Cosmic Cartography

Featuring more than 750 researchers from over 70 institutions worldwide, DESI's ambitious project is crafting the largest three-dimensional map of the universe, offering unprecedented insights into dark energy— the enigmatic force shaping cosmic expansion.

Trailblazing Research from UC Santa Cruz

Among the distinguished contributors are professors from the University of California, Santa Cruz, including Alexie Leauthaud-Harnett, Connie Rockosi, and J. Xavier Prochaska, who are leading the charge to unravel the mysteries of dark energy. Leauthaud, a co-spokesperson for the DESI collaboration, expressed pride in the team's achievements, stating, "This prize is a testament to the incredible success of the DESI team and these potentially groundbreaking results on the nature of dark energy."

A Technological Marvel at Kitt Peak Observatory

DESI is installed on the National Science Foundation's Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona. This cutting-edge instrument can capture light from 5,000 galaxies simultaneously, thanks to the generous funding from the DOE Office of Science, and is managed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Mapping the Universe's Mysteries

With a scientific mission aimed at deciphering the properties of dark energy, DESI has successfully mapped the positions of galaxies and quasars spanning a staggering 11 billion light years. This monumental work is set to advance our understanding of the universe's mass-energy composition.

A New Era of Cosmological Insights

AAS Senior Vice President Dawn Gelino remarked, "DESI's record-breaking map of the universe is transforming our understanding of dark energy and the cosmos itself. This prize recognizes a monumental collaborative achievement that will guide cosmological models for decades to come." The future of astronomy is brighter than ever with DESI leading the way.