NASA Space Apps Challenge / 2026
Planet X
& SPHEREx
A sky full of observations. A chance to see what changes. The challenge is to create a public web tool that makes SPHEREx sky observations easy for anyone to explore and compare over time.
Read the official challenge ↗01 Meet the mission
Look a little
closer.
Some of the universe’s most interesting clues lie beyond the light our eyes can see.
NASA’s SPHEREx observes the whole sky in 102 infrared wavelengths, offering a richer way to explore the objects and material that fill it.
Explore the mission at NASA JPL ↗02 A shift in perspective
The clue is
in the change.
One observation captures a moment. Comparing observations offers a way to notice what has shifted.
The Planet X and SPHEREx challenge asks for an accessible web tool that lets people explore sky observations and compare them over time.
Read the challenge ↗03 Beyond the familiar
Leave room
for wonder.
Planet X remains a possibility to investigate, rather than a confirmed discovery.
A changing point of light invites a closer look. Making observations easier to inspect is a starting point; evidence is what comes next.
The science behind Planet X ↗A little curiosity. An infinite universe.
Keep a little space
for the unexpected.
One question leads to another. Where will yours take you?