Tech
A new telescope will help understand the history of the Universe and the Big Bang
The Byurakan Observatory reports that SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) is a NASA space telescope launched from Earth on March 11, 2025.
It will study the entire universe in the infrared range, helping scientists understand its history, the formation of galaxies, and the role of water and organic molecules in developing planetary systems.
This device will collect data to shed light on the so-called inflationary moment, when space increased trillions of times in a split second after the Big Bang, forming an expanding Universe.
The telescope can detect infrared light, which is difficult to observe from Earth.
How will SPHEREx work? It will perform a spectral survey, measuring light intensity at different wavelengths. It will complete a full-sky study every six months during its two-year mission.
SPHEREx’s observations will complement data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Euclid, providing a wealth of information about the Universe.
SPHEREx was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, carrying four U.S. satellites designed to study the solar corona and wind.
Why is SPHEREx important? It will be NASA’s first mission to conduct a full-sky spectral survey in the infrared.
It will help advance cosmology, astrophysics, and planetary science, creating a 3D map of the universe with unprecedented accuracy in the infrared range.
