NASA’s SPHEREx Space Telescope will create the world’s most complete sky survey

NASA's SPHEREx telescope, launching in March 2024, will create a comprehensive 3D map of the universe using infrared wavelengths. This mission aims to understand the universe's evolution from shortly after the Big Bang. SPHEREx will observe over 550 million galaxies and stars, measuring their distances and chemical compositions. The telescope will also search for water and organic molecules in interstellar clouds, crucial for life. Data collected will improve understanding of inflation, the universe's rapid expansion after its creation. SPHEREx's approach differs from other telescopes by measuring the total integrated light from galaxies, enabling the study of objects beyond current detection limits. A passive cooling system keeps the telescope at extremely low temperatures for optimal observation. The data will be publicly available and analyzed by scientists globally. Accompanying SPHEREx, the PUNCH mission will study the solar wind and its effects on Earth. Both missions represent significant advancements in space exploration and our understanding of the cosmos.