NASA’s SPHEREx (Specto-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) mission is reaching a crucial stage as it begins to take shape, with a distinctive bullhorn-like appearance. This space telescope, set to launch no later than April 2025, is designed to create an unprecedented map of the entire sky, offering insights into the cosmic history of galaxies, the origins of essential life ingredients, and the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy.
SPHEREx’s Unique Structure
The SPHEREx telescope stands tall at almost 8.5 feet and stretches nearly 10.5 feet wide, with cone-shaped photon shields forming its distinctive appearance. These shields, assembled at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, serve the critical purpose of protecting the telescope from the Sun and Earth’s light and heat.
Comprising three nested cones, the photon shields are surprisingly light, yet sturdy. Constructed with layers of material like a sandwich, these shields have aluminum sheets on the outside and an aluminum honeycomb structure on the inside, providing the necessary protection for the sensitive instruments.
Keeping it Cool and Stable
To ensure the telescope’s detectors operate at their optimal performance, SPHEREx must be kept incredibly cold, below minus 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The outer photon shield, along with the gaps between the cones, prevents light and heat from reaching the telescope. A V-groove radiator, consisting of three conical mirrors, helps maintain the telescope’s frigid operating temperature by redirecting infrared light away.
Built by Ball Aerospace, the SPHEREx telescope is the mission’s core element. Comprising three mirrors and six detectors, it collects infrared light from distant celestial sources. The telescope is ingeniously tilted on its base to maximize its sky coverage while staying protected within the photon shields.
Infrared ‘Vision’ – Spectroscopy Filters
SPHEREx utilizes spectroscopy to study the composition and distances of celestial objects. The telescope employs filters, each about the size of a cracker, placed on top of its detectors. These filters, with multiple segments blocking specific wavelengths of infrared light, enable scientists to perform spectroscopy and observe more than 100 distinct wavelengths.
SPHEREx’s primary mission objectives include understanding the origins of water and life ingredients, studying the cosmic history of galaxies, and exploring the universe’s inflation after the big bang. By mapping millions of galaxies, SPHEREx aims to provide new insights into the mysteries of our universe.
In conclusion, NASA’s SPHEREx mission stands at the forefront of cutting-edge space exploration, equipped with advanced technology to unravel the secrets of the cosmos. As it embarks on its journey, SPHEREx promises to revolutionize our understanding of the universe, opening new avenues for scientific discovery and exploration.
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