NASA’s SPHEREx Telescope to Map Universe and Seek Life

Why in the news?

NASA is launching the SPHEREx telescope on a two-year mission to study the universe’s formation, galactic evolution, and biogenic molecules in the Milky Way. It will create the most detailed infrared sky map, aiding research on cosmic inflation and life origins.

NASA’s SPHEREx Telescope to Map Universe and Seek Life

HIghlights of the Mission:

  • NASA is set to launch a new space telescope, SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer), on Friday for a two-year mission.
  • The telescope aims to study the formation of the universe, track the growth of galaxies, and identify water and life-forming molecules in the Milky Way.
  • SPHEREx will provide a comprehensive infrared map of the cosmos, offering new insights into the earliest moments of the universe.

Unprecedented Cosmic Mapping

  • SPHEREx will map the entire sky every six months in 102 infrared colors, a feat never achieved before at this level of color resolution.
  • Unlike the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which focuses on localized regions, SPHEREx will create a broad-scale cosmic map visible from Earth.
  • The telescope will use infrared imaging to study distant galaxies, star formation, and galactic structures, capturing data that is invisible to the human eye.

Scientific Goals: Cosmic Inflation & Life Search

  • A key objective of SPHEREx is to measure cosmic inflation, a rapid expansion of the universe that occurred 14 billion years ago.
  • It will map 3D positions of approximately 450 million galaxies, helping scientists understand the universe’s shape and evolution.
  • Another focus is detecting biogenic molecules (such as carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen) in the Milky Way.
  • By studying frozen molecules in deep space, SPHEREx aims to uncover how life-forming compounds traveled to Earth, offering crucial insights into the origins of life.

About SPHEREx Space Telescope:

  • What is SPHEREx?
  • Full Form: Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer.
  • Mission Type: Space telescope for optical and near-infrared sky surveys.
  • Duration: Two-year mission to map the universe’s origins.
  • Launch Details:
  • Agency: NASA
  • Rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9
  • Objectives:
  • Study Cosmic Inflation – Investigate the universe’s rapid expansion post-Big Bang.
  • Map 450M+ Galaxies – Understand their evolution and distribution.
  • Search for Water & Organics – Identify life-essential molecules in the Milky Way.
  • Create a 3D Cosmic Map – Capture 102 infrared color bands.
  • Key Features:
  • Uses advanced infrared technology for deep-space observation.
  • All-sky survey every six months with high-resolution data.
  • Identifies targets for missions like James Webb Space Telescope.
  • Significance:
  • Offers insights into cosmic inflation and universe formation.
  • Detects building blocks of life in planetary systems.
  • Supports future space missions with critical data.
  • Involves global collaboration, including Korea’s Astronomy Institute.