NASA’s SPHEREx Mission Maps Galactic Ice and Unveils Cosmic Origins
Updated
Updated · NASA · Apr 15
NASA’s SPHEREx Mission Maps Galactic Ice and Unveils Cosmic Origins
4 articles · Updated · NASA · Apr 15
NASA's SPHEREx space observatory has completed its first all-sky infrared survey, mapping interstellar ice and cosmic structures across 102 colors.
The mission revealed vast regions of water, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide ice within giant molecular clouds, key to star and planet formation.
SPHEREx’s unprecedented data will deepen understanding of the universe’s origins, galaxy evolution, and the distribution of life-forming molecules in the Milky Way.
How will SPHEREx's unprecedented 3D map of millions of galaxies challenge our understanding of dark matter?
Beyond water, what other complex organic molecules has SPHEREx found that could jumpstart life on other worlds?
How does SPHEREx's surprise analysis of an interstellar comet change our view of visitors from other stars?
How will SPHEREx and the James Webb telescope work together to solve cosmic mysteries neither could alone?
The news links 'interstellar glaciers' to our oceans. What definitive proof can confirm this cosmic connection?
With water's ingredients widespread, what is now the greatest barrier to finding extraterrestrial life?
SPHEREx’s 102-Band All-Sky Infrared Survey Reveals Galactic Water Ice Origins and Maps 450 Million Galaxies in 3D
Overview
NASA's SPHEREx mission, launched in 2025, created the first all-sky infrared map revealing that water and other ices are concentrated on dust grains within the dense, shielded interiors of molecular clouds. These icy reservoirs are the primordial source of water on Earth and other planets, as the ice-coated grains become part of comets and planet-building materials. SPHEREx also mapped hundreds of millions of galaxies in 3D, uncovering clustering patterns that trace the universe's inflationary origins and galaxy evolution. Its innovative technology, including linear variable filters and precise cooling, enabled these breakthroughs. By openly sharing its vast data, SPHEREx is transforming our understanding of cosmic ice, planet formation, and the large-scale structure of the universe.