NASA’s SPHEREx space observatory has commenced its groundbreaking mission to map the entire sky, aiming to unlock cosmic secrets about the universe’s origins, galaxy evolution, and the Milky Way’s chemical composition. Launched in March 2024 after six weeks of meticulous testing, the telescope will capture 3,600 daily images over two years to create a 3D map of hundreds of millions of galaxies.
The mission, spanning 25 months and 11,000 Earth orbits, seeks to answer fundamental questions about cosmic history, including the universe’s expansion and the distribution of celestial structures. SPHEREx will also analyze starlight to detect water and organic molecules, offering clues about the building blocks of life in star-forming regions.
Shawn Domagal-Goldman, acting director of NASA’s Astrophysics Division, emphasized SPHEREx’s role alongside upcoming projects like the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, stating it will address 'big questions about the universe' central to NASA’s research.
This mission enhances global scientific collaboration, providing data valuable for researchers, investors tracking space technology advancements, and enthusiasts exploring humanity’s quest to understand the cosmos.
