DEMO 01 · INFRARED DISCOVERY

Planet X and SPHEREx

Search a simulated infrared sky and learn why a detection is only the beginning of a scientific discovery.

Spacey's briefing

A telescope can collect millions of measurements. Your job is to help narrow the search: spot interesting patterns first, then let scientists confirm what they really are.

Need to move on? You can skip Chapter 1, but Spacey will remember that you skipped it.

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Infrared lightSome objects are easier to study at wavelengths our eyes cannot see.

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Candidate ≠ discoveryA suspicious signal needs repeated observations and verification.

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Cold telescopeInfrared telescopes must control their own heat so faint cosmic signals are easier to measure.

WATCH & UNDERSTAND

How NASA’s SPHEREx Mission Will Map the Cosmos

SPHEREx is designed to map the sky in infrared light. Watch how NASA JPL explains the telescope, its cold operating environment, and the hardware that blocks unwanted heat and light.

Video source: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory on YouTube. It plays inside this page when internet access is available.