NASA's SPHEREx telescope successfully launches, mapping origins

NASA's SPHEREx space telescope successfully launched on March 11, 2025, after two previous attempts failed. It lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from California, marking a significant step in astrophysics. SPHEREx will map the sky in 102 infrared colors, capturing around 600 images daily for two years. This mission aims to explore the origins of the Universe and identify potential signs of life in the Milky Way. Alongside SPHEREx, the PUNCH satellites will study the Sun's corona. This collaboration enhances the understanding of both cosmic origins and solar phenomena, building on previous missions like NASA's WISE.