In an exploration that can reshape our understanding of life in the universe, NASA is preparing to launch a groundbreaking telescope designed to map frozen compounds in the Milky Way. The Spherex Mission, which plans to launch no earlier than February 27, will investigate the largest cosmic ice survey ever and potentially reveal the origins of Earth’s oceans and the basis of life itself.
Although the emptiness of space may seem to be without water, scientists believe that much of the universe’s water exists in a less obvious form: as ice, tiny grains clinging to interstellar dust. These frozen reservoirs are hidden in huge clouds of gas and dust called molecular clouds, which may be the key to understanding how water moves on planets like Earth.
The timing of the mission is particularly important, as astronomers are increasingly focused on finding potential habitable worlds outside the solar system. “It’s confused us for a while,” said Gary Melnick, a senior astronomer at the Center for Astrophysics. Members of Harvard & Smithsonian and Spherex science team reflect on the early discoveries of less gaseous water than expected in space. “We eventually realized that SWA found gas water in thin layers near the surface of the molecular cloud, which suggests that there might be more water in the clouds, locked into ice.”
The launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from California’s Van Denberg space power, Spherex (Spectro-Photopermeter, Ecoch of Exionization and Ics Explorer of the History of the Universe) represents a significant advance in our ability to study these cosmic ice banks. Unlike previous space telescopes, Spherex is specially designed to conduct comprehensive investigations, creating a three-dimensional map of ice throughout the Milky Way.
Telescopes are not only about finding water. Its instrument will detect carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and other compounds that are critical to life in a frozen state. These materials are protected from cosmic radiation deep in molecular clouds and can provide insights into how planets form and obtain their chemical composition.
What is particularly innovative about Spherex is its investigation methodology. Instead of capturing traditional two-dimensional images, the telescope will collect detailed spectral data along more than 9 million sight lines. The technology allows scientists to measure not only the presence of ice, but how it can change in different areas of the entire space.
This task is based on previous discoveries while solving long-standing problems. In 1998, NASA’s submillimeter tide astronomy satellite (SWAS) investigated gaseous water in the Milky Way, but found few. This discovery led scientists to believe that most water must exist in solid form and be protected deep in molecular clouds. The purpose of Spherex is to confirm this assumption and provide a more complete picture of how water and other compounds can be distributed throughout the space.
The telescope’s capabilities will complement other space observation stations, especially the James Webb space telescope. As Melnick explains: “If Spherex finds a particularly interesting location, Webb can study targets with high spectral resolution and in wavelengths that Spherex cannot detect. These two telescopes can build Efficient partnership.”
In addition to its direct scientific goals, Spherex represents a collaborative effort from multiple institutions. The mission is managed by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, Southern California, with the BAE system providing telescopes and spacecraft. Scientists from ten institutions in the United States, two institutions in South Korea, and one in Taiwan will analyze the data, which will be available publicly through the NASA/IPAC Infrared Science Archives.
As launch day approaches, mission stances are expected to provide unprecedented insights into the cosmic origins of water and the chemical basis of life. By mapping these frozen compounds in the Milky Way, Spherex may help answer one of the most basic questions of humanity: How common are the components of life in the universe?
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