NASA is on the verge of launching its SPHEREx telescope, which aims to generate the most comprehensive and colorful map of the universe to date. The telescope will use infrared spectroscopy to analyze light in 96 different bands, well beyond the capabilities of human vision. This will aid scientists in understanding how the universe formed, how galaxies evolve, and how life-forming molecules are distributed. Unlike the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which targets high-resolution views of specific regions, SPHEREx will map the entire sky in just a few months.
Key Features and Objectives of SPHEREx
Mission Overview
- Full Name: Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx).
- Mission Duration: Two years.
- Purpose: Create the most detailed and colorful infrared map of the universe.
- Data Collection: 8 million spectroscopic images covering the entire sky.
Advancements in Cosmic Mapping
- Will divide light into 96 bands (compared to the human eye’s three bands).
- Covers the entire sky, unlike JWST and Hubble, which observe small sections.
- Expected to map 1 billion galaxies, 100 million stars, and 10,000 asteroids.
- Provides large-scale data needed for understanding the structure and history of the universe.
