Three Things to Know About SPHEREx, NASA’s New Space Telescope | Explained News
As the world of space exploration continues to expand, NASA is ready to launch a new space telescope that promises to revolutionize our understanding of the universe. The Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx) is scheduled for launch on February 28 and is expected to provide new insights into the formation of the universe, the growth of galaxies, and the location of water and life-forming molecules in the Milky Way galaxy. Here are three things you need to know about SPHEREx, NASA’s new space telescope.
Make the "Most Colourful" Map of the Cosmos Ever
SPHEREx will map the universe while detecting two kinds of cosmic light: optical and infrared. While our eyes can see optical light, infrared light is invisible to us. This is a significant issue when it comes to studying the cosmos, as it contains information about the farthest reaches of space, the birth of stars, and the details of galactic structures. To overcome this problem, scientists use specialized cameras and telescopes to study infrared light, which has a heat signature. One such instrument is the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), whose specialty is infrared and helps show things in the universe that were previously hidden. SPHEREx will image the entire sky in 102 infrared colours for the first time, providing a "most colourful" map of the cosmos ever.
Shed Light on Cosmic Phenomenon Called Inflation
One of the primary aims of SPHEREx will be to measure something called cosmic inflation. This period took place around 14 billion years ago, during which the universe expanded faster than the speed of light for a fraction of a second. Scientists suggest that inflation explains many aspects of the universe, such as its flatness, or lack of curvature, on the largest scales.
However, cosmic inflation remains poorly understood. SPHEREx will use spectroscopic images to measure the 3D positions of about 450 million galaxies across cosmic history. Astronomers will then create a picture of the cosmos not just in position but in time. This, combined with a lot of statistics and mathematics, will allow the SPHEREx team to test different theories of inflation.
Explore the Milky Way Galaxy to Identify Water- and Life-Forming Molecules
SPHEREx will identify water- and life-forming molecules, also known as biogenic molecules (such as carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen), in the Milky Way galaxy, where the Earth is located. These molecules are frozen in icy particles located in some of the coldest parts of the galaxy. For life to form on Earth, these biogenic molecules would have to somehow travel from these regions to the planet. However, scientists are yet to know exactly how this process occurred. SPHEREx will resolve the mystery by providing a complete census of the icy biogenic molecules in the Milky Way galaxy.
Top 3 FAQs about SPHEREx, NASA’s New Space Telescope
What is SPHEREx? SPHEREx is a new space telescope designed to map the universe in infrared light and study the formation of galaxies and the location of water and life-forming molecules in the Milky Way galaxy.
What are the main goals of SPHEREx? The main goals of SPHEREx are to map the universe in infrared light, study the growth of galaxies, and identify water- and life-forming molecules in the Milky Way galaxy.
When is SPHEREx launching? SPHEREx is scheduled to launch on February 28 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Conclusion
SPHEREx is an exciting new space telescope that promises to revolutionize our understanding of the universe. By mapping the universe in infrared light, studying the growth of galaxies, and identifying water- and life-forming molecules in the Milky Way galaxy, SPHEREx will help answer some of the biggest questions in space exploration. As the world waits with bated breath for the launch of SPHEREx, one thing is clear: this new space telescope is set to make a significant impact on our understanding of the cosmos.
Sources
- NASA
- The Conversation
- Space.com
Image Credit
Sectional view of the SPHEREx with cosmic structures in the background. (Photo: NASA/JPL)
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