NASA’s SPHEREx Mission to Map Sky and Galaxies

Why in the News?

NASA successfully launched the SPHEREx space telescope from California aboard a SpaceX rocket. The $488 million mission will map the entire sky in infrared, studying galaxy evolution, cosmic expansion, and the origins of water and life-building molecules in space.

NASA’s SPHEREx Mission to Map Sky and Galaxies

About NASA’s SPHEREx Mission :

  • NASA launched the Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx) on Tuesday.
  • The telescope, weighing 500 kg, was launched aboard a SpaceX rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
  • SPHEREx will map the entire sky every six months over its two-year mission, using infrared technology.
  • It aims to create the most comprehensive and colorful cosmic map by identifying 102 invisible colors.
  • The telescope was accompanied by four small satellites deployed to study the Sun.

Scientific Objectives

  • SPHEREx will study hundreds of millions of galaxies, focusing on how galaxies formed and evolved.
  • It will investigate cosmic expansion and why the universe expanded so rapidly after the Big Bang.
  • The telescope will examine the total cosmic glow, capturing light from the earliest galaxies.
  • Unlike the Hubble and James Webb telescopes, which focus on specific galaxies, SPHEREx will analyze the combined cosmic light.

Technology and Observations

  • The telescope will scan the sky using infrared detectors with a wide field of view.
  • It will analyze interstellar ice clouds in the Milky Way, searching for water and life-building molecules.
  • SPHEREx’s unique rainbow-like spectral imaging technique will reveal hidden cosmic structures.
  • NASA scientists believe this data will offer insights into unseen sources of cosmic light missed by previous missions.

What is SPHEREx?

  • Full Form: Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer.
  • Mission Type: Space telescope to survey the sky in optical and near-infrared light.
  • Duration: Two-year mission to map the universe and study cosmic origins.

Launch Details

  • Agency: NASA
  • Rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9

Aim of SPHEREx

  • Study Cosmic Inflation: Investigate the universe’s rapid expansion after the Big Bang.
  • Map Galaxies: Survey 450+ million galaxies for distribution and evolution.
  • Search for Water & Organics: Identify life-essential molecules in the Milky Way.
  • Create a 3D Cosmic Map: Capture the universe in 102 color bands.

Key Features

  • Infrared Technology: Detects objects invisible to human eyes.
  • All-Sky Survey: Maps the entire sky every six months.
  • High-Resolution Data: Provides detailed spectral information.
  • Target Identification: Supports missions like the James Webb Space Telescope.

Significance

  • Understanding Cosmic Inflation and early universe expansion.
  • Detecting Water & Organics in star-forming regions.
  • Guiding Future Missions with comprehensive cosmic data.
  • Global Collaboration with partners like the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute.