NASA’s megaphone-shaped space observatory, SPHEREx, is set to launch into space next month and mark a new era in cosmic exploration. The mission aims to map the entire celestial sky in 102 infrared colors, shedding light on the origins of the universe, ingredients for life, and more.
One of SPHEREx’s key objectives is studying inflation, which occurred in the first billionth of a trillionth of a second after the big bang. By mapping over 450 million galaxies, scientists hope to understand the physics behind this phenomenon. The telescope will measure the total glow from all galaxies, including those too small or distant for other telescopes.
SPHEREx’s advanced technology allows it to detect molecules essential to life, such as water and carbon dioxide, in frozen interstellar gas and dust. This data will help researchers better understand the availability of these compounds for newly forming planets.
The space telescope will survey the entire sky every six months using 96 different color bands, far exceeding previous all-sky maps. Its ability to study stars and galaxies through spectroscopy will provide accurate distance and composition information, enabling scientists to create new 3D maps of the universe.
SPHEREx’s unique shape relies on passive cooling, with three cone-shaped “photon shields” covering its detectors. The mission is expected to last 25 months and will be led by James Bock of the California Institute of Technology.
Source: https://petapixel.com/2025/01/31/nasas-spherex-to-capture-first-all-sky-spectral-survey-and-explore-universes-origins