Michael Zemcov (Rochester Institute of Technology) - An Introduction to and Early Results from SPHEREx, a Near-IR All Sky Spectral Survey

SPHEREx is a NASA mid-sized Explorer Mission that is currently performing the first all-sky spectral survey at near-infrared wavelengths. Launched in March 2025, SPHEREx will measure the 0.75-to-5μm spectrum of every 6.2 arcsec pixel on the sky with spectral resolution R>41.5 and a 5σ sensitivity AB>19 per spectral/spatial resolution. The SPHEREx team plans to perform three specific science investigations: (1) map the large-scale structure of galaxies to study the inflationary birth of the universe; (2) determine the abundance of interstellar water and organic ices available to proto-planetary systems; and (3) measure the light produced by stars and galaxies over cosmic history.  The SPHEREx survey will provide unique all-sky spectral information including spectra of very large numbers of extragalactic, galactic, and solar system targets, including not just point-like but also both extended and diffuse sources.  This dataset is quickly available to the astronomical community, and will enable a staggering range of science.  In this talk I will review SPHEREx's purpose, design, operations, and present some early scientific results.  I will also describe the data products available to the community, and highlight the properties of the dataset that are unique in the coming decade of large surveys.

The Astronomy Colloquium covers a wide range of topics and should be accessible to advanced Astronomy Majors. Refreshments will be served at 3:45 pm with the presentation beginning at 4:00 pm.