SPHEREx

SPHEREx is a new entry into NASA’s space telescopes that began with The Great Observatories. While the James Web Space Telescope (JWST) and the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) focus on specific targets, SPHEREx has a much wider view – the entire universe. During its two year mission, it will create four six-month maps of the entire sky. SPHEREx “sees” in the infrared, but will split the light it captures into 102 different “colors” (wavelengths) providing, what JPL calls, “the most colorful all-sky map ever.” By measuring the distribution of galaxies, SPHEREx will collect information about the period known as cosmic inflation, which scientists think occurred a fraction of a second after the Big Bang. It will also look for the signs of life in the form of interstellar clouds with frozen water and carbon dioxide.

SPHEREx will enter into a polar orbit keeping a constant orientation toward the Sun. After a month long check out period, the telescope will begin its primary mission. SPHEREx will circle the Earth 14 1/2 times a day while taking 600 images per day. It will capture a single strip of the night sky during each orbit, resulting a complete view over six months.

Update March 8: SPHEREx is schedule to launch on top of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the California Vandenberg Space Force base no earlier than Friday, March 8, 2025 and no later than some time in April. Each day there is a small launch window at 10:09 pm EST.

Update March 9: The March 8 launch has been postponed. A new launch date will be announced.