Cygnus X Archives

A three-color image of the CygX region constructed from SPHEREx mosaics. In this image, blue is 1.13–1.19 μm, green is 2.9–3.20 μm (containing the H2O ice absorption feature), and red is 4.75–5.1 μm. Continuum emission from warm dust extends across the image, as evidenced by the extended orange clouds. Dark lanes are seen where the dust and H2O ice absorption are the strongest. Red sources appear in these dark lanes where there are background sources or embedded young stars shining through the dust. Blue stars are seen in regions with lower extinction or are foreground objects. -- The Astrophysical Journal

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release

Astrochemistry Update: SPHEREx Maps Vast Galactic Ice Regions

by Keith CowingApril 15, 2026April 15, 2026

NASA’s SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer) mission has mapped interstellar ice at an unprecedented scale.

Comparison of various tracers of dust, gas, and extinction toward the CygX region. Cyan contours in all images indicate H2O ice peak optical depths of 0.25, derived from the H2O ice map smoothed with a Gaussian kernel of σ ∼ 31′′ (5 pixels). (a) 2MASS NICEST AJ extinction, with a resolution of 3′ . (b) FCRAO 13CO (1–0) Moment 0 map (beamsize 45′′ FWHM) integrated over −10 to +20 km s−1 , corresponding to the ensemble of star-forming molecular clouds directly associated with the Cyg OB2 cluster (N. Schneider et al. 2006). (c) Herschel-derived NH2 column density. (d) Herschel-derived dust temperature, Td. Both Herschel images are at a resolution of 36.4′′ -- astro-ph.GA

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Intelligence & Language, Press Release

SPHEREx Wide-Field Infrared Spectral Mapping of Interstellar Ices and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

by Keith CowingMarch 16, 2026March 16, 2026

We present some of the first infrared spectral maps acquired by SPHEREx. These maps, which to our knowledge are the largest of their type ever compiled in the near-infrared, reveal […]

Cygnus X

Astrochemistry Update: SPHEREx Maps Vast Galactic Ice Regions

SPHEREx Wide-Field Infrared Spectral Mapping of Interstellar Ices and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

PJ Harvey Announces New Song “Voyager”

Fifty Years after Viking: The Promise of Solar System Microbiology and Microbial Ecology

Characterising Transiting Exoplanets At Long Orbital Period: Lessons Learned For PLATO From 10 Years Of Monitoring The HIP41378 System

Implications Of Self-consistent H2O Ice Optical Constants On Radiative Transfer Models Of Disks

The GAPS Programme at TNG LXXIV. A Reanalysis Of The Planetary Systems TOI-1272 And TOI-1694 With HARPS-N And Retraction Of The Planetary Interpretation Of TOI-1272 c