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NASA’s new infrared space telescope, SPHEREx, has commenced its mission to explore the cosmos. Similar to the James Webb Space Telescope, this innovative instrument will study the universe in infrared wavelengths, allowing it to observe regions obscured to conventional telescopes. The successful “first light” images confirm the spacecraft’s systems are functioning optimally, marking a significant milestone for the mission.
SPHEREx Achieves “First Light,” Validating Instrument Performance
The initial images from SPHEREx, an infrared space telescope, demonstrate that all spacecraft systems are operating as anticipated. Jamie Bock, the principal investigator for SPHEREx at Caltech and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, affirmed in a statement, “Based on the images we are seeing, we can now say that the instrument team nailed it.”
The Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer, or SPHEREx, offers a wide-field perspective compared to the James Webb Space Telescope. While both utilize infrared wavelengths to penetrate cosmic dust and investigate distant areas of the universe inaccessible to visible-light instruments, their approaches differ. If James Webb excels at detailed analysis of individual ancient stars, SPHEREx specializes in mapping the broader cosmic environment. Although these initial images are not the definitive showcase of the telescope’s capabilities, they represent a crucial step forward in its mission.
Understanding the Initial Images from SPHEREx
The provided image comprises six panels, each corresponding to one of SPHEREx’s six detectors.
According to NASA, “SPHEREx’s complete field of view spans the top three images; the same area of the sky is also captured in the bottom three images.”
Each detector is designed to gather data across 17 distinct wavelength bands. Collectively, this infrared observatory is capable of examining the universe in an impressive 102 bands. Furthermore, each of these six test images contains approximately 100,000 astronomical sources.
The colors depicted in the images, while within the visible spectrum, represent infrared wavelengths detected by SPHEREx. Red hues indicate longer wavelengths, while purple hues represent shorter wavelengths – a logical color assignment.
In the visible spectrum, longer wavelengths correspond to redder colors. Cosmic objects emit light that shifts from bluer wavelengths to redder wavelengths and into the infrared range as it travels to Earth due to the expansion of the universe. This stretching of light wavelengths is why infrared astronomy is vital for observing extremely distant and ancient objects formed shortly after the Big Bang, approximately 13.7 billion years ago.
Key Features of SPHEREx Detectors
The team has confirmed that SPHEREx’s detectors are operational and capable of focusing. Focusing adjustments for SPHEREx were exclusively performed on Earth, with no further adjustments possible post-launch.
Currently, the detectors are undergoing a cooling process, essential for optimal infrared measurements. Excessive heat can interfere with these measurements, as infrared signatures are essentially heat signatures, similar to how firefighters use thermal imaging. Upon completion of the cooling phase, SPHEREx is expected to commence routine operations.
“This is the observatory’s full field of view, a rectangular area about 20 times wider than the full moon,” NASA stated. “When SPHEREx begins routine science operations in late April, it will take approximately 600 exposures every day.”
NASA’s $488 million SPHEREx space telescope was launched on March 11.
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