NASA’s SPHEREx space observatory has officially kicked off its science operations, beginning a groundbreaking mission to survey the entire sky and provide unprecedented insights into the origins of the universe, the evolution of galaxies, and the foundational elements of life in our galaxy.
Launched on March 11, SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for
the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) spent
the past six weeks undergoing rigorous testing and calibration. Engineers
carefully examined its instruments, verified data transmission capabilities,
and ensured the spacecraft was fully operational. Now, with these checks
complete, SPHEREx is ready to dive into its ambitious scientific goals.
Mapping the Cosmos, One Frame at a Time
SPHEREx will capture approximately 3,600 images each day
over the next two years, building a full-sky map in infrared light. By
completing over 11,000 orbits during its 25-month mission, the
telescope will circle Earth around 14.5 times per day, gathering a
massive volume of data as it sweeps across the sky.
NASA’s goal with SPHEREx is not only to map the location of hundreds
of millions of galaxies but also to chart them in three dimensions.
This allows scientists to better understand how galaxies form and evolve, as
well as to investigate the large-scale structure of the universe and the events
that shaped it billions of years ago.
Big Questions, Bold Mission
“This new observatory is adding to the suite of space-based
astrophysics survey missions leading up to the launch of NASA’s Nancy Grace
Roman Space Telescope,” said Shawn Domagal-Goldman, acting director
of NASA’s Astrophysics Division in Washington. “Together with these other
missions, SPHEREx will play a key role in answering the big questions about the
universe we tackle at NASA every day.”
Some of those questions include:
- How
did the universe begin and evolve?
- What
mechanisms drive galaxy formation and development?
- Where
do the building blocks of life come from?
By surveying the entire sky in 96 different color bands of
infrared light, SPHEREx will be able to detect both nearby objects—like ices
and organic molecules in the Milky Way—and ancient galaxies at the far edge of
the observable universe.
Laying the Groundwork for Future Discoveries
SPHEREx is unique in that it combines a wide field of
view with spectroscopic analysis—allowing it not only to see what’s
out there but also to understand the composition and distance of celestial
objects. This makes it a valuable tool for current researchers and a rich
resource for future missions.
As SPHEREx begins collecting data, scientists around the
world are preparing for an influx of information that could transform our
understanding of the universe’s past—and possibly, its future.
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