Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. And in the infant universe, SPHEREx will attempt to understand inflation, or how the universe expanded exponentially in the first fraction of a second after its birth. SPHEREx will measure the imprint of inflation on the positions of galaxies and matter. SPHEREx's filters are designed to block all but one wavelength from reaching the telescope. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech) Some, however, may think this telescope looks a bit odd. Its cone shape looks more like something you may find around a dog's head after going to the vet. But Beth Fabinsky, the Deputy Project Manager of SPHEREx proudly points out, "These aren't cones of shame. They're SPHEREx's cones of fame!" The cone-shaped shields are designed to protect SPHEREx from infrared radiation from the sun, Earth, and the telescope itself. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)