NASA’s newest astrophysics observatory, SPHEREx was launched into space from California on 11 March, 2025.
Mission Overview:
- SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) was successfully launched on March 11, 2025, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
- The mission will last two years, collecting data from:
- 450 million galaxies across the cosmos.
- 100 million stars within the Milky Way.
Scientific Goals:
- Mapping the Universe:
- SPHEREx will create a 3D map of the cosmos using 102 wavelengths of light.
- It will help scientists study galaxy evolution over time.
- Understanding Cosmic Inflation:
- The mission aims to deepen knowledge of the universe’s rapid expansion that occurred just after the Big Bang (13.8 billion years ago).
- Scientists hope to uncover what powered cosmic inflation and what existed before it.
- Searching for Hidden Water in the Milky Way:
- SPHEREx will scan the galaxy for water ice reservoirs on interstellar dust grains.
- This could provide insights into how water reached Earth and other planets.
Significance of SPHEREx:
- Expands our understanding of the early universe and galaxy formation.
- Helps uncover the role of water in planetary evolution.
- Paves the way for future space explorations and astronomical discoveries.
(Source: NASA)
