NASA is preparing to launch a high-profile mission into space to explore a multitude of galaxies. The SPHEREx mission, short for Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer, aims to map over 450 million galaxies in the sky. Scientists anticipate that this mission will provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of galaxies, shedding light on the origins of the universe itself.
Scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, the cone-shaped spacecraft will be accompanied by four smaller satellites tasked with studying the sun. The spacecraft, equipped with hexagonal sun shields to maintain instrument temperatures, will be carried into orbit atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
SPHEREx, with a budget of $488 million and over a decade in development, will survey the sky using 102 infrared colors, an unprecedented feat in space exploration. Infrared technology allows scientists to peer through dust and gas, revealing ancient stars and galaxies that are typically obscured from view. By utilizing spectroscopy, researchers can analyze the composition, density, temperature, and motion of celestial bodies, leading to a deeper understanding of galaxy formation and the presence of organic materials in the Milky Way.
One of the mission’s key objectives is to trace the origins of water, a crucial component for life, not just on Earth but potentially throughout the galaxy. By decoding the light signatures of galaxies, SPHEREx could unlock secrets about the early universe, including events that occurred shortly after the Big Bang. The mission’s groundbreaking capabilities offer the promise of new discoveries and unforeseen revelations in the realm of astrophysics.
The origins of the largest structures in the universe, such as galaxies and clusters of galaxies, have long puzzled astronomers. The question of what drove cosmic inflation or why it occurred remains a challenge. The SPHEREx mission offers a new approach to this puzzle, as it aims to map out the precise distribution of hundreds of millions of galaxies. This detailed mapping could provide insights into the physics behind cosmic inflation and shed light on how such a rapid expansion took place. Lead researcher Brock explained that SPHEREx will test specific models of inflation by creating a three-dimensional map of galaxies across the entire sky. Domagal-Goldman emphasized the significance of the SPHEREx mission, highlighting its potential to deepen our understanding of fundamental physics, galaxies, cosmic inflation, and the origins of the universe. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to live in a time where humanity can explore and potentially answer profound questions about the universe.
