NASA is getting ready to launch a new space telescope called SPHEREx on February 27 from California. This telescope will take detailed pictures of the entire sky in 102 different infrared colors. Scientists will use it to study how the universe began and to learn more about faraway galaxies.

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What is SPHEREx, and what will it do?

SPHEREx is a new space telescope that will help scientists learn more about the universe. It will study how the universe expanded right after the Big Bang, a process called inflation. Scientists believe that traces of this event can still be seen in how matter is spread across space today.

SPHEREx will also look at light from galaxies, including ones that are too far, too faint, or too small for other telescopes to see. By measuring the total glow from all galaxies, it will help scientists understand how much light they have produced over time.

Will SPHEREx help in the search for life?

Yes, SPHEREx will search for the basic ingredients of life in our own galaxy, the Milky Way. It is designed to detect key molecules frozen in space clouds, which are areas where stars and planets form. By studying these molecules, scientists can learn more about how planets like Earth could develop the conditions necessary for life.

SPHEREx will work alongside the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). It will create a detailed sky map and provide important information about planets, stars, and galaxies in high resolution.

How will SPHEREx work?

SPHEREx will use infrared light to study space in great detail. It can break light into different colours, just like a prism turns sunlight into a rainbow. This helps scientists measure how far away galaxies are and what they are made of.

The telescope will also create a 3D map of millions of galaxies, helping scientists understand how the universe has changed over time.

To work properly, SPHEREx must stay extremely cold—about minus 210 degrees Celsius. Instead of using electricity or special cooling liquids, it will cool down naturally, making it more efficient and long-lasting.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) will manage the telescope and ensure it works well in space. Scientists believe SPHEREx will provide one of the most detailed views of the universe, helping us learn how galaxies, stars, and even life have evolved over billions of years. 

Read: NASA shares image of star cluster symbolising life, death, and rebirth