**Astronomers Confirm Einstein’s Gravity Theory at Cosmic Scales Using Massive Galaxy Map**

In a groundbreaking analysis of the largest map of the universe ever created, astronomers have once again confirmed Albert Einstein’s predictions about gravity. This extensive study, which surveyed nearly 6 million galaxies and quasars encompassing 11 billion years of cosmic history, has verified that gravity operates according to Einstein's general relativity, even on the vastest scales.

Published recently on the preprint server arXiv and set to be detailed further at an upcoming American Astronomical Society meeting, the findings lend strong support to the lambda cold dark matter model—a leading cosmological theory. The results also put constraints on alternative gravitational theories while leaving some questions, such as the universe's varying expansion rates, still open for future investigation.

"General relativity has been thoroughly tested within our solar system, but it's crucial to confirm its validity on much larger scales," stated Pauline Zarrouk, a cosmologist at the French National Centre for Scientific Research and co-lead of the study. Through detailed observation of galaxy formation rates, the study aligns with the predictions of general relativity, reinforcing its application to cosmological scales.

The study utilized data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) attached to the Nicholas U. Mayall Telescope in Arizona. By capturing the monthly positions of millions of galaxies, DESI allows researchers to examine how the universe has expanded over time. The researchers conducted a "full-shape analysis" to precisely measure the growth of galactic structures, finding that the universe's structure closely mirrors Einstein's theoretical predictions.

Dragan Huterer, a professor at the University of Michigan and co-lead of DESI's data interpretation group, highlighted the importance of this study. "This is the first instance where DESI has probed the growth of cosmic structures. We demonstrate a remarkable new ability to investigate modified gravity and refine models of dark energy."

While these findings bolster Einstein’s theories, the full implications for our understanding of the cosmos are yet to be determined. DESI’s ongoing project is set to collect data from approximately 40 million galaxies and quasars by its conclusion, with further data releases anticipated in spring 2025. This comprehensive dataset holds the promise of unveiling more answers about the universe's fundamental nature.