NASA Launches SPHEREx Telescope to Map 450 Million Galaxies

NASA successfully launched the SPHEREx telescope aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from California, marking the beginning of a two-year mission to map the entire sky and study the formation and evolution of galaxies. With a budget of $488 million, SPHEREx aims to capture the cosmic glow of over 450 million galaxies and search for water and life-essential compounds in the Milky Way's icy clouds. Unlike previous telescopes, SPHEREx will observe the total infrared light emitted over cosmic history, providing insights into the universe's rapid expansion after the Big Bang. The telescope's chief scientist, Jamie Bock, emphasized that while SPHEREx won't directly observe the Big Bang, it will capture its aftermath, offering valuable data on early cosmic evolution. Alongside SPHEREx, four satellites were launched to study the solar wind, contributing to a broader understanding of solar and cosmic phenomena. This innovative mission is expected to reshape our understanding of the universe's origins and its subsequent development.