NASA's SPHEREx Space Telescope Sends First Images Back to Earth

The NASA-operated SPHEREx space telescope has successfully activated its detectors, sending its initial images back to Earth. This marks a significant step forward as the telescope prepares for its scientific mission, which is set to commence later this month.

SPHEREx, an acronym for Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer, is designed to observe the cosmos in the infrared spectrum. Each image captured by the telescope comprises six separate images, with each corresponding to one of the six detectors that operate across different wavelength ranges.

The first image transmission occurred on March 27. However, these preliminary images are not yet calibrated, rendering them unsuitable for scientific analysis at this time. Nevertheless, they provide valuable insights into the telescope's functionality and alignment. The focus of the telescope is critical as it cannot be adjusted once in space, and the initial images confirm that it is operating as intended.

According to the SPHEREx research team, the quality of the initial images indicates that all systems are functioning well. The telescope was launched into space on March 11, and over the past two weeks, NASA has conducted thorough checks to ensure that all systems are operating according to plan. This process included cooling the detectors and other hardware to approximately -210 degrees Celsius, a necessary step to enhance the telescope's ability to detect infrared light by minimizing interference from heat.

SPHEREx is expected to begin its scientific operations by the end of this month. The primary mission is anticipated to last for two years, during which the telescope will map the entire sky four times, capturing light from hundreds of millions of stars and galaxies across more wavelengths than any other sky survey telescope to date.