Astronomy Institute Participates in Making 'Spherex'... Will It Find the Second Earth?

Participation in the World's First Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Space Telescope Development

Conceptual diagram of the Spearx space telescope (Source: Spearx official website)

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) under the Ministry of Science and ICT, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA JPL), and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have joined forces to begin the production of the 'SPHEREx' space telescope for all-sky infrared imaging spectroscopy. If this telescope is produced for the first time in the world, it will be possible to acquire three-dimensional information of the universe, providing clues to get one step closer to the secrets of the cosmos. In particular, it is expected to make a significant contribution to the exploration of planets that may harbor extraterrestrial life by creating distribution maps of water, carbon dioxide, and other substances present in our galaxy or the universe.

World's First All-Sky Infrared Imaging Spectroscopy Space Telescope Production Begins

Schematic diagram of the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute's cryogenic vacuum chamber for SpearX performance testing.

SPHEREx began when KASI proposed its development to NASA through a joint research plan with Caltech in 2016. NASA selected the research team's proposal in February 2019 and evaluated the preliminary design results last October, giving final approval on the 6th (local time).

SPHEREx is a space telescope capable of imaging spectroscopy of the entire sky. It can observe infrared celestial bodies, which are difficult to observe from the ground due to losses caused by Earth's atmosphere. Especially, through imaging spectroscopy technology that integrates imaging observation, which can observe areas simultaneously, and spectroscopic observation, which measures brightness changes according to the wavelength of individual celestial bodies, the universe can be observed in 102 colors. Dr. Allen Farrington of NASA JPL explained, "The production of SPHEREx can be compared to the development of filming techniques during the transition from black-and-white to color films in the movie industry," adding, "SPHEREx's all-sky imaging spectroscopy observation will be a groundbreaking attempt that will mark a milestone in the history of astrophysics."

Only 'Our Country' Participates in US Space Telescope Production

All-weather video spectroscopy technology attempted by Spearx (Source: Spearx website)

Once completed, SPHEREx will orbit with the same period and trajectory as Earth's revolution in 2024, conducting more than four all-sky spectroscopic survey missions over two and a half years. The linear spectral filter, first applied to the scientific payload NISS of the first-generation small satellite by KASI, will be used in this mission. A total of 12 institutions participate in the production and operation of SPHEREx, with KASI being the only non-US institution involved.

Equipped with KASI's linear spectral filter, SPHEREx will create an all-sky spectroscopic catalog of approximately 2 billion individual celestial bodies existing in the universe. By reconstructing SPHEREx's observation images and the emission spectra of each celestial body, three-dimensional spatial information of the universe can be obtained. This can be used as a clue to unravel the secrets of the universe, such as its formation and expansion. Additionally, it will create distribution maps of water and carbon dioxide existing in ice form in our galaxy and the universe, enabling research into planetary systems where life may exist, like Earth.

Besides this, KASI will lead the development and testing of an ultra-low temperature vacuum chamber used for the space environment testing of the telescope. It will also participate in the development of observation data analysis software and core scientific research.

Securing Core Technologies for Future Space Development

Dr. Woongseob Jeong, the principal investigator at KASI, said, "Building on the independent development experience of the scientific payload NISS for the next-generation small satellite, we have been able to participate as the only international research institution in the joint development of SPHEREx," adding, "Through this joint development, we will gain confidence in developing world-class space telescopes."

Changyun Lee, Director of the Large Public Research Policy Division at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "Imaging spectroscopy technology can be applied not only to the development of the SPHEREx space telescope but also to various fields such as resource exploration, climate and natural disaster monitoring," and added, "We plan to expand continuous joint research with world-class research institutions to secure core technologies that will lead future space development."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.