Decorative image. This image features a selection of colors emitted primarily by stars (Image source: NASA and JPL-Caltech)
NASA’s SPHEREx Observatory completed its first infrared map of the entire sky — and it did so in 102 colors. This is the most colorful mapping of the sky ever done. Each color is a different wavelength of infrared light, and they all reveal different things about the universe.
SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) was launched in March this year. In just six months, it has mapped the entire sky in 102 different infrared wavelengths. The beauty of this is that each wavelength carries information about different aspects of the sky. Stars, hot hydrogen gas, cosmic dust — all these are accounted for in SPHEREx’s map.
With SPHEREx’s data, scientists will gain insight into one of the most significant moments in the universe’s history — inflation. This was a split second after the Big Bang, when the universe expanded very fast.
The different colors SPHEREx provides will help in measuring the distances to hundreds of millions of galaxies. This creates a 3D map. All of this information is useful in studying how the universe has evolved over its nearly 14 billion years of existence.
While several other observatories have mapped the entire sky, none have done it in nearly as many colors as SPHEREx. It’s all thanks to SPHEREx’s unique design. The telescope has six detectors. Each of them is paired with a specially designed filter that contains a gradient of 17 colors. So with every image, the telescope produces six times 17 colors — a total of 102.
SPHEREx orbits Earth about 14 and a half times in one day. Each day, it takes about 3,600 images covering one circular strip of the sky. It also has a wide field of view. A combination of these factors allowed it to observe the entire sky in six months. Given that SPHEREx has a two-year primary mission, it is expected to create three more maps of this sort.
Chibuike Okpara – Tech Writer – 337 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2024
I have always been fascinated by technology and digital devices my entire life and even got addicted to it. I have always marveled at the intricacy of even the simplest digital devices and systems around us. I have been writing and publishing articles online for about 6 years now, just about a year ago, I found myself lost in the marvel of smartphones and laptops we have in our hands every day. I developed a passion for learning about new devices and technologies that come with them and at some point, I asked myself, “Why not get into writing tech articles?” It is useless to say I followed up the idea — it is evident. I am an open-minded individual who derives an infinite amount of joy from researching and discovering new information, I believe there is so much to learn and such a short life to live, so I put my time to good use — learning new things. I am a ‘bookworm’ of the internet and digital devices. When I am not writing, you will find me on my devices still, I do explore and admire the beauty of nature and creatures. I am a fast learner and quickly adapt to changes, always looking forward to new adventures.