The new SPHEREx space telescope, a cutting-edge addition to NASA’s fleet, is set to launch this weekend. This mission promises to revolutionize our understanding of the universe by scanning the entire sky in near-infrared wavelengths and gathering extensive data on over 450 million galaxies.
Scheduled to launch on March 2 atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 10:09 PM local time, SPHEREx is officially known as the Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer.
The telescope features a unique camera with a filter that disperses incoming light like a prism, directing various spectrum portions onto 102 distinct color sensors. By methodically panning across the sky, SPHEREx will compile a complete image pixel by pixel. This innovative approach enables the telescope to achieve high-resolution observations using a compact, simple camera without moving parts, significantly reducing costs compared to larger sensor arrays.
According to experts, this mission will produce a comprehensive dataset that is likely to yield unexpected discoveries. “It’s a very small space telescope, but it’s got some very unique features,” stated a leading researcher. “It has never been done before to observe every pixel in the sky over a broad wavelength range.”
The infrared data collected by SPHEREx, imperceptible to the human eye, will provide critical insights into the distances of celestial objects and the formation and evolution of galaxies. This data may also reveal chemical compositions, including the potential presence of water, an essential element for life.
Noteworthy discoveries flagged by SPHEREx can subsequently be examined in detail using NASA’s existing space telescopes, including the renowned Hubble Space Telescope and the advanced James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
Experts emphasize that while SPHEREx may not capture the same high-resolution images as JWST, it will serve as a dependable tool for groundbreaking scientific exploration. “SPHEREx won’t match the resolution of JWST,” explained a specialist, “but it will cover the sky comprehensively and provide invaluable data for years to come.”
As it orbits Earth 14.5 times daily, SPHEREx is expected to complete 11,000 orbits during its two-year mission. Equipped with three cone-shaped shields, the telescope’s instruments will be protected from the intense heat emitted by Earth and the sun.
In addition to SPHEREx, another NASA mission, Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH), will launch on the same rocket, focused on studying the solar wind.
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