Unlocking the Cosmos: How NASA’s SPHEREx Mission Will Share a Stunning All-Sky Map with Everyone

NASA recently launched its latest space telescope, SPHEREx, to create a detailed all-sky map of the universe. Now in low-Earth orbit, this telescope began sharing its findings with the public weekly, allowing anyone curious about space to dive into the data.

Rachel Akeson, who leads the SPHEREx Science Data Center at Caltech, says the scope of this mission is vast. “We’re looking at everything in the whole sky, so almost every field in astronomy can benefit from SPHEREx data,” she explains.

SPHEREx, which stands for Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer, builds on previous missions like WISE. Unlike WISE, which looked at four infrared wavelengths, SPHEREx observes in 102. This allows scientists to identify specific molecules using a method called spectroscopy. By analyzing these wavelengths, they can study the distribution of frozen water and organic molecules, which are essential for life.

Besides mapping the sky, SPHEREx will help shed light on the physics behind the universe’s expansion after the Big Bang. It will also track light emissions from galaxies over time, greatly expanding the horizons for astronomical research. Akeson mentions, “By making this data public, we allow the entire astronomy community to contribute to these studies.”

What’s remarkable is the quick turnaround time for data access. Within 60 days of each observation, the processed data is available to the public. This careful processing ensures that the findings are accurate and valuable for further research. The team even publishes their processing methods alongside the data to help researchers conduct their investigations effectively.

Over its two-year mission, SPHEREx will map the entire sky twice a year, leading to four all-sky maps. After the first year, a comprehensive map of the sky across all wavelengths will also be released.

When combined with data from other missions, SPHEREx further enhances scientific discoveries. Its findings can help identify targets for NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, enhance data from the TESS mission, and contribute to studies on dark matter and energy alongside the ESA’s Euclid mission.

The archive that houses SPHEREx data, the IRSA, offers a wealth of information from previous missions too. This extensive dataset allows researchers to explore a broad range of astronomical objects and phenomena.

Vandana Desai, the IRSA Science Lead, notes, “SPHEREx is part of NASA’s long-standing legacy of space surveys. Researchers will utilize this data in unexpected and innovative ways.”

As part of its mission, NASA emphasizes sharing scientific data openly. Transparency boosts the impact of its findings and helps foster collaboration across the scientific community. For more information on their commitment to open science, check out NASA’s resources at NASA Open Science.

SPHEREx represents a significant leap forward in space exploration, promising to unlock many secrets of the universe while allowing everyone, from researchers to space enthusiasts, to participate in the journey.

Source link

Astrophysics, Galaxies, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Open Science, SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe and Ices Explorer), The Search for Life, The Universe