NASA’s SPHEREx Space Telescope Begins Capturing Entire Sky
NASA’s SPHEREx space observatory has officially begun its two-year mission to map the entire sky in 102 infrared wavelengths, capturing about 3,600 images daily to create 3D maps of hundreds of millions of galaxies. Its goal is to unlock new insights into cosmic inflation, the origins of galaxies, and the building blocks of life in the Milky Way by using spectroscopy to analyse light and matter across the universe.
From its perch in Earth orbit, SPHEREx peers into the darkness, pointing away from the planet and the Sun. The observatory will complete more than 11,000 orbits over its 25 months of planned survey operations, circling Earth about 14.5 times a day. SPHEREx takes images along a circular strip of the sky, ensuring it captures the entire sky as the Earth orbits the Sun.
SPHEREx sends light captured to six detectors producing unique images for each wavelength. It takes about 600 exposures daily, with hundreds of thousands of its images eventually woven together to create four all-sky maps over two years, providing insights about the universe’s early moments after the big bang.
Key Points
- SPHEREx captures 3,600 images daily to map the sky in 102 infrared wavelengths.
- The observatory’s mission lasts for two years, completing over 11,000 orbits around Earth.
- Its purpose includes unlocking insights into cosmic inflation and the origins of galaxies.
- SPHEREx captures data using six detectors, generating unique images for different light wavelengths.
- The mission aims to produce four comprehensive all-sky maps for deeper cosmic understanding.
Why should I read this?
If you’re into space exploration or just curious about how we’re mapping the cosmos, this article spills the beans on NASA’s latest telescope venture. SPHEREx is not just taking pretty pictures; it’s on a mission to uncover the secrets of the universe, from galactic origins to the early moments post-big bang. So, why not get the lowdown on this exciting project?