On the 2nd, the Korea Aerospace Administration announced that it has unveiled the first images taken by the space telescope SPHEREx, which was jointly developed with the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
SPHEREx is an international project involving 12 institutions, including the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Its goal is to create the world's first infrared three-dimensional map of the universe by capturing the entire sky in 102 different infrared wavelengths. Following its launch on March 12, it entered its initial operational phase for about 37 days and has successfully completed all test operations, including calibrations.
The first images released were taken on the 28th of last month, confirming that the telescope is operating normally with clear focus and stable brightness. The six photos released are results of SPHEREx's wide-field observations, visualized by assigning colors to the infrared images based on wavelength. Shorter wavelengths are represented in purple, while longer wavelengths are depicted in red.
The bright line in the top left photo is due to the helium atmosphere light caused by helium in Earth's atmosphere. The two photos on the far right are enlarged versions of the originals. The green enlarged photo captures details of a nearby galaxy, while the blue box indicates that dark and distant galaxies can also be observed.
By distinguishing colors in this manner, the Korea Aerospace Administration explains that it can reveal the composition of regions in the universe and distances to galaxies. Researchers plan to study various topics using SPHEREx, ranging from the cause of the rapid expansion of the universe shortly after its birth to the origins of water within our galaxy.
Yoon Young-bin, head of the Korea Aerospace Administration, noted, "The successful observations of the SPHEREx space telescope signify a new beginning for space exploration," adding, "I hope this elevates the research level of Korean scientists and enhances Korea's standing in the field."