NASA’s New SPHEREx Space Telescope to Launch in February – It Can Do What JWST Can’t

NASA’s SPHEREx space telescope is set to launch on February 27 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Unlike the JWST, which focuses on specific deep-space regions, SPHEREx will conduct an all-sky infrared survey. Its mission includes mapping the universe, studying galaxy evolution, detecting icy organic compounds, and investigating cosmic inflation. The telescope will work alongside other missions like JWST and OSIRIS-REx to expand our understanding of the cosmos.

NASA’s SPHEREx telescope is set to launch on February 27 aboard a SpaceX rocket. Its primary mission is to map the entire night sky in infrared, something even the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) isn’t designed to do.

SPHEREx vs. JWST

SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) will work with infrared light and reveal information that JWST cannot. While JWST focuses on capturing highly detailed images of specific regions in deep space, SPHEREx will conduct a broad all-sky survey.

Launch Details

SPHEREx will launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, sharing its ride with NASA’s PUNCH mission, which will study the Sun. The launch is scheduled from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

SPHEREx’s Objectives

– Scan the entire sky in 102 infrared colors every six months.
– Study galaxies at different stages of their evolution.
– Detect icy organic compounds in space to trace the origins of life.
– Investigate cosmic inflation—the rapid expansion of the universe after the Big Bang.

Collaboration with Other Missions

SPHEREx’s data will assist JWST scientists by providing a full-sky infrared map to help focus their observations. Additionally, missions like OSIRIS-REx and the Vera Rubin Observatory will also use SPHEREx’s findings.

Technical Features

– Weight: About 1,100 pounds (roughly the size of a grand piano).
– Power Consumption: 270-300 watts (less than a refrigerator).
– Solar-powered with three photon shields for protection.
– Placed in a special orbit to maintain a cold environment for infrared imaging.

SPHEREx’s first six-month survey will begin after launch, and scientists eagerly await its initial data release.

Disclaimer
This information is based on publicly available details about NASA’s SPHEREx mission. Launch schedules and mission objectives may change due to technical or operational considerations.

source : live science