NASA · Space

SPHEREx Telescope Reveals Brown Dwarf Atmospheres

NASA's SPHEREx telescope is identifying thousands of brown dwarfs, revealing details about their chemically rich atmospheres.

New findings show brown dwarfs have atmospheres similar to giant planets. These objects form like stars but lack fusion, drifting independently and heated internally.

SPHEREx is analyzing thousands of brown dwarfs, observing 37 across a temperature range of 4,000 to -10°F. It measures brightness in 102 colors to create spectra.

Spectra revealed atmospheres with water, CO2, CO, and methane. Scientists observe how molecular signatures vary, noting models struggle with cloudy transitions.

SPHEREx's infrared capabilities offer a clearer view than ground telescopes. Brown dwarfs are a secondary focus for SPHEREx's primary sky-mapping mission.

SPHEREx's spectral coverage allows imaging of thousands of brown dwarfs in the deep red and infrared spectrum for the first time.

The study shows no two brown dwarfs are identical, even at similar temperatures, presenting modeling challenges.

The SPHEREx mission data is publicly available for scientific analysis.

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