South Pole Telescope

The South Pole Telescope (SPT) is a large, specialized telescope located at the Earth’s South Pole, designed to study the universe’s earliest light. It observes the faint cosmic microwave background radiation—relic heat from the Big Bang—to learn about the universe’s origins, structure, and composition. Its location at the pole offers clear, stable skies and minimal atmospheric interference. The SPT also investigates dark energy, galaxy clusters, and cosmic evolution. By capturing high-resolution data, it helps scientists understand fundamental questions about the universe's history and its fundamental components.