SPHEREx Archives

One-month snapshots of the 2-D distribution in terrestrial coordinate of the oxygen emission in (a) May and (b) December 2025. The measured emission is averaged over 31 days in latitude and longitude bins of 5-degree bin width. The corresponding absolute SZA is plotted in (c) and (d), with the color limit reversed to denote lighter color means closer pointing to the Sun. A movie showing the month-by-month evolution of the oxygen emission and solar zenith angle is available online. -- physics.ao-ph

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report

Observations Of Atmospheric Helium And Oxygen With SPHEREx

by Keith CowingMay 6, 2026May 6, 2026

We present measurements of near-infrared (NIR) terrestrial airglow produced by helium and oxygen in the exosphere as observed by SPHEREx. Using eight months of survey data obtained from a 680 […]

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.

Simultaneously collected raw spectral images in array coordinates from band 2 (left) and band 5 (right) collected during the first practice survey and the first crossing of the Galactic plane. Bands 2 and 5 view the same sky across the DBS. Each image spans the full 3.5◦ FOV of the array with wavelength increasing from bottom to top. The horizontal banding structure observed observed in band 5 corresponds to diffuse Bracket Alpha emission in the Galaxy at 4.05 µm. -- astro-ph.IM

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report

The SPHEREx Instrument: Calibration, Testing And Performance Measurements Of The NIR 2 Spectroscopic Surveyor From The Laboratory To In-orbit Commissioning

by Keith CowingApril 2, 2026June 10, 2026

The SPHEREx near-infrared space telescope is an all-sky spectroscopic survey mission launched on March 12th, 2025 UTC.

A region in Ursa Major with maps of individual simulation components and their sum; these have been evaluated for a spectral channel centered on 0.803 µm. The color schemes vary in order to best illustrate the features of the individual signals. Notice how the scan pattern manifests in several of the components. The contributing images were generated with the Sky Simulator described in B. P. Crill et al. (2025). Real flag masks (Sec. 3.2) have been applied and are most noticeable at the centers of bright stars. -- astro-ph.IM

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Missions & Hardware, Status Report

Spectral Map Making With SPHEREx

by Keith CowingMarch 30, 2026March 30, 2026

We present map-making methodologies and preliminary spectral data cubes for SPHEREx, a NASA Explorer mission that launched in March 2025 and has been performing an all-sky near-infrared spectral survey.

ISO Short Wavelength Spectrometer (SWS) spectrum of the Galactic source, W33A, an extremely embedded high-mass young stellar object (Gibb et al. 2004). This source exhibits strong ice absorption features due to H2O, CH3OH, CO2, XCN, CO, and weaker 13CO2 and OCS features. Also shown are the SPHEREx Bands 4, 5, and 6, along with their respective spectral resolving powers, λ/∆λ (see Table 1). -- astro-ph.GA

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Status Report

The SPHEREx Ices Investigation: An Overview

by Keith CowingMarch 25, 2026March 25, 2026

SPHEREx is a NASA mission designed to perform an all-sky spectroscopic survey in the 0.75 – 5 μm wavelength range. Its primary science objectives are to investigate: (1) inflationary cosmology, […]

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 […]

(Top Insets) SPHEREx 0.75-5.0μm imaging of 3I/ATLAS taken on 08-to-15-Dec2025. The 6.3’x6.3’ cutout contours are 5,20,&50 times the background noise; color bars are in MJy/sr. The celestial North-and-East directions are shown (black-arrows), along with the anti-velocity (dashed-blue) and anti-sun (solid-red) directions.

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report

SPHEREx Re-Observation of Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS in December 2025: Detection of Increased Post-Perihelion Activity, Refractory Coma Dust, and New Coma Gas Species

by Keith CowingJanuary 24, 2026June 11, 2026

In December-2025, the NASA SPHEREx spacecraft re-observed ISO 3I/ATLAS post-perihelion, finding a much more active object compared to August-2025 SPHEREx pre-perihelion observations, with marked evidence for development into an cometary […]

SPHEREx measures the abundances and properties of ice species by taking absorption spectra toward background stars and protostars. This comprehensive survey toward ∼10 million targets spans the evolutionary stages of star and planet formation from dense molecular clouds to young solar systems with planetary disks. -- astro-ph.IM

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report

Astrochemistry: The SPHEREx Satellite Mission

by Keith CowingJanuary 20, 2026January 20, 2026

SPHEREx, a NASA explorer satellite launched on 11 March 2025, is carrying out the first all-sky near-infrared spectral survey. The satellite observes in 102 spectral bands from 0.75 to 5.0 […]

Diagram of the SPHEREx observatory, showing (from top to bottom) the three conical photon shields with a cutaway view, the telescope, radiator panel for the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) detectors, the MWIR and short-wave infrared (SWIR) focal plane arrays (FPAs), and the 3-stage V-groove radiator assembly with penetrating bipods for supporting the telescope assembly. The BAE spacecraft at the bottom provides pointing, power, and telemetry and houses the instrument readout electronics. -- NASA

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release

SPHEREx Wins 2026 Sylvia A. Earle Award For Exploration Excellence From The Explorers Club

by Keith CowingJanuary 20, 2026January 20, 2026

Award: The Sylvia A. Earle Award for Exploration Excellence, previously known as the Citation of Merit, is an annual award given by the Explorers Club to an individual or team […]

This image features only the wavelengths emitted by the prominent red clouds of a type of cosmic dust known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and bubbles of hydrogen gas (blue). Both of these materials are a common ingredient in the formation of stars and planets. SPHEREx has mapped the entire sky in 102 infrared colors. This image features a selection of colors emitted primarily by stars (blue, green, and white), hot hydrogen gas (blue), and cosmic dust (red). Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Astrobiology (general), Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release

Astrochemistry Update: SPHEREx Observatory Completes First Cosmic Map Like No Other

by Keith CowingDecember 18, 2025

Launched in March, NASA’s SPHEREx space telescope has completed its first infrared map of the entire sky in 102 colors. SPHEREx will help scientists answer big-picture questions about everything from […]

SPHEREx

Observations Of Atmospheric Helium And Oxygen With SPHEREx

Astrochemistry Update: SPHEREx Maps Vast Galactic Ice Regions

The SPHEREx Instrument: Calibration, Testing And Performance Measurements Of The NIR 2 Spectroscopic Surveyor From The Laboratory To In-orbit Commissioning

Spectral Map Making With SPHEREx

The SPHEREx Ices Investigation: An Overview

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

SPHEREx Re-Observation of Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS in December 2025: Detection of Increased Post-Perihelion Activity, Refractory Coma Dust, and New Coma Gas Species

Astrochemistry: The SPHEREx Satellite Mission

SPHEREx Wins 2026 Sylvia A. Earle Award For Exploration Excellence From The Explorers Club

Astrochemistry Update: SPHEREx Observatory Completes First Cosmic Map Like No Other

Dragonfly Titan Astrobiology Droid Clears Key Tests

Expedition Led By MBARI Researchers Reveals A Remarkable, And Rare, Form Of Deep-sea Hydrothermal Vents

SwRI Study Found Primordial Mini-moons May Explain Meteorite Composition

The Galactic Centre G+0.633-0.0604 Molecular Cloud: A New Astrochemical Gold Mine. I. Gas Physical Properties

Researchers Confirm The Cause Of Earth’s Biggest Mass Extinction