NASA is set to launch a groundbreaking mission called SPHEREx, which will create the most colorful 3D map of the entire sky yet. The craft aims to analyze every pixel in the sky to answer some of humanity’s most profound questions.
Launched on February 28, SPHEREx will scan the whole sky four times over the next two years. By the end, every point above will be captured in an infrared rainbow of 102 colors – a far greater range than any other all-sky map.
Astrophysicist Olivier Doré explains that the mission will study the universe’s history, from the Big Bang to galaxies and comets. It will also try to determine the presence of vital ingredients for life, such as water and carbon dioxide, in the Milky Way galaxy.
The end result will be a massive 3D chart featuring around 450 million galaxies. This map can help scientists test models of cosmic inflation and understand how galaxies are distributed throughout the universe.
SPHEREx’s data can also reveal the total light output from galaxies across cosmic history, helping to illuminate the likelihood of life elsewhere in the galaxy. By analyzing molecular clouds for signatures of water ice and other vital compounds, researchers hope to gain insights into the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
The mission will gather more than 9 million observations of these clouds, with data collected in 3D along its line of sight each time. This data will be a treasure trove for scientists, especially when paired with other observatories like JWST.
By combining their expertise, SPHEREx and JWST can form a powerful partnership to study the universe in greater detail than ever before.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/nasas-new-mission-will-create-the-most-colorful-3d-map-of-the-entire-sky