NASA's new UVEX space telescope will peer deep into the universe's most violent events

NASA's upcoming Ultraviolet Explorer (UVEX) space telescope aims to delve into the universe's most violent events through ultraviolet light observation. Developed by NASA and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), UVEX will map the entire sky in ultraviolet light upon its 2031 launch. This will complement other sky-mapping surveys, including NASA's SPHEREx in infrared and the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in visible light.

The telescope's ultraviolet vision promises to unveil explosive cosmic phenomena like neutron star collisions, supernovas, and the formation of neutron stars and black holes. UVEX will also identify numerous low-mass galaxies near the Milky Way, which are currently observed at vast distances by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

With its advanced ultraviolet sensitivity, UVEX will detect millions of small, faint galaxies emitting bright UV light. This will help distinguish these nearby galaxies from faraway ones that appear similar in optical light. Additionally, UVEX will study the aftermath of supernovas, the death throes of massive stars, and the creation of heavy elements forged in neutron star mergers.

The telescope's rapid maneuverability will allow it to observe these explosive events shortly after they occur, providing valuable data that other instruments, such as the Hubble Space Telescope, cannot match.