NASA’s latest mission, SPHEREx, has launched with an exciting goal: to explore the universe’s origins, the history of galaxies, and the quest for life’s building blocks. SPHEREx stands for Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer. It took off on March 11 at 8:10 p.m. PDT aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Alongside SPHEREx, four small satellites for the PUNCH mission, which focuses on solar research, were also launched. Nicky Fox, a NASA associate administrator, highlighted how working together increases the potential for groundbreaking discoveries. Communication with SPHEREx was established shortly after its launch, allowing the mission to begin its two-year prime phase following a month for technical checks.
SPHEREx aims to create a comprehensive 3D map of the sky twice a year. This effort is particularly vital as it complements other major space telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope. By using a method called spectroscopy, SPHEREx will measure the distance to 450 million nearby galaxies, shedding light on how the universe has changed over billions of years. The mission will also search our galaxy for frozen water and essential molecules like carbon dioxide, crucial for understanding where life might exist.
James Fanson, the SPHEREx project manager, expressed the significance of the mission, stating that we now have the tools to tackle age-old questions about our existence and whether we are alone in the universe.
The PUNCH mission seeks to understand the Sun’s outer atmosphere and how it contributes to solar winds—streams of charged particles that can impact Earth. Craig DeForest, the principal investigator for PUNCH, emphasized that the daily interactions between solar wind and Earth are key to understanding space weather, which can affect both technology and astronauts in orbit.
These missions come at a time when interest in space exploration is surging. A recent Pew Research survey showed that 61% of Americans view space exploration as a top priority for the country. This kind of enthusiasm can drive funding and support for future missions.
NASA’s ability to manage multiple missions simultaneously is vital for maximizing scientific returns from their investments. The data collected will be made publicly available, enhancing global collaboration among scientists and researchers. SPHEREx and PUNCH are not just about our place in space but also about fostering a deeper understanding of the universe and our role within it.
For more information about SPHEREx, visit NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
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Source linkAstrophysics, Heliophysics, Launch Services Program, Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH), Science Mission Directorate, SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe and Ices Explorer)
