![The Pillars of Creation - Webb](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/What-is-the-James-Webb-Space-Telescope-Heres-everything-you.png)
The Webb Telescope captures images of the Pillars of Creation. Credits: NASA, ESA, ASC, STScI; Joseph DePasquale (STScI), Anton M. Koekemoer (STScI), Alyssa Pagan (STScI).
What is the James Webb Space Telescope?
If you’ve come across breathtaking images from space recently, you’ve probably just seen the products of the work of the James Webb Telescope. The James Webb Telescope, often simply referred to as the Webb Telescope or JWST, is an orbiting infrared observatory that was launched as part of an international program between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (ASC) to complement and extend the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope.
The telescope sees the world at infrared wavelengths, allowing a deeper look into space to see the universe’s first stars and galaxies that formed after the Big Bang. Infrared light also makes visible stars and planetary systems that form inside clouds of dust that would otherwise be opaque. The telescope will help scientists search for the first galaxies formed after the creation of the universe and study the evolutions of these galaxies.
When was the Webb Telescope launched?
The Webb Telescope was launched on December 25, 2021 from Arianespace’s ELA-3 launch complex at a spaceport near Kourou, French Guiana. The Webb Telescope was launched on an Ariane 5 rocket: the launch vehicle and launch site were part of the European Space Agency’s contribution to the mission. After launch, the telescope continued its 29-day, million-mile journey to the second Lagrange point.
Where is the Webb Telescope located?
The Webb Telescope operates from space and orbits the Sun 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, called the second Lagrange point. This is a major difference with the Hubble telescope which orbits the Earth in low orbit.
Lagrange points refer to positions in space where the gravitational forces of a two-body system, such as the Sun and Earth, produce regions of enhanced attraction and repulsion, according to NASA. There are five Lagrange points in total that can be used by NASA as “parking spots” for spacecraft in space to stay in a fixed position with minimal fuel consumption.
Point L2 is an ideal home for the Webb Telescope because at this point a spacecraft is close enough to easily communicate with Earth, provides a clear view of deep space for Webb, and can keep sight of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. behind the telescope for solar energy.
Why is it called the James Webb Telescope?
NASA named the telescope after James E. Webb who led NASA from February 1961 to October 1968. NASA says Webb “did more for science than perhaps any other government official.” It was under Webb’s leadership that NASA was able to land the first man on the moon as part of the Apollo program. His tenure led to a decade of space and scientific research that still remains unmatched today.
Who operates the Webb Telescope?
The Webb Telescope is an international collaboration between NASA, ESA and CSA. NASA is overall responsible for the Webb mission. According to NASA, ESA is in charge of providing the near-infrared spectrograph, the optical set of mid-infrared instruments and the Ariane launcher. Finally, the CSA is responsible for providing the fine guidance sensor/near infrared imager and the slitless spectrograph.
How much does the telescope cost?
The Webb Telescope was an expensive project, expected to cost NASA $9.7 billion over 24 years, according to reports. The actual development of the spacecraft cost around $8.8 billion, and another $861 million is planned to support five years of operation.
How long will the Webb telescope stay in orbit?
The Webb Telescope was designed to operate for at least five years, however, the goal is to have an overall mission lifetime of over 10 years
What is the difference between the Webb Telescope and the Hubble Telescope?
When it comes to space images, the terms “Webb” and “Hubble” have become buzzwords. It is therefore often difficult to tell the difference between the two. Although both are telescopes in space, both have major differences.
The biggest difference between Webb and Hubble is where they each orbit. Webb does not orbit the Earth, unlike the Hubble telescope. Instead, Webb orbits the Sun, 1.5 million kilometers from Earth.
The valuable aspect of this orbit is that it allows the telescope to stay aligned with the Earth as it moves around the Sun. This means that the Hubble Telescope is in low Earth orbit and the Webb Telescope is not.
Another major difference between telescopes is the images they render. The Webb telescope focuses on the infrared wavelength while the Hubble telescope specializes in the ultraviolet wavelength. Observations of distant objects, such as the first galaxies formed in the Universe, require an infrared telescope. So Webb can see objects at much farther distances and see farther back in time than Hubble (I know that sounds like time travel, but we’ll get to that later).
There are also a plethora of technical differences between the two telescopes, such as construction, materials, size, flight time, etc. with which I will not burden you. The two differences listed above are the most important to understand their different functions.
How does the Webb Telescope take images?
The main imager of the Webb Telescope is its near infrared camera (NIRCam). The NIRCam can detect light from early stars and galaxies. The NIRCam was built as a joint effort between the University of Arizona and Lockheed Martin.
When did the Webb Telescope capture its first image?
The first images were delivered by the Webb Telescope in July 2022. President Joe Biden unveiled the first image taken by the telescope on July 11, 2022 during an event at the White House. At the time, the image was the deepest infrared image of the universe that had ever been seen. The image shows galaxy cluster SMACS 0723 as it appeared 4.6 billion years ago. The full suite of images was then shared later in the week and featured spectacular color images.
How to view the images captured by the Webb telescope?
NASA always shares its latest news through press releases on its site. However, if you want to stay on top of Webb’s latest news, your best bet is to follow Telescope’s own Twitter account.
It’s what you expected.
Journey with us through Webb’s breathtaking view of the Pillars of Creation, where dozens of newly formed stars shimmer like dewdrops among floating, translucent columns of gas and dust: https://t.co /5ea1kCzU5x
Here is your guided tour β¬οΈ pic.twitter.com/jFiDDrMUPlβ NASA Hallo-Webb Telescope πΈπ·π (@NASAWebb) October 19, 2022
What has the Webb telescope accomplished?
The Webb Telescope has provided the deepest and sharpest images of the universe to date. Building the telescope was an ambitious undertaking, but now that it has proven itself, its technology will be implemented in telescopes in the future. More recently, the Webb Telescope shared breathtaking images of the iconic Pillars of Creation.
SEE: NASA’s Webb Telescope takes dazzling images of the Pillars of Creation
Can the Webb Telescope actually look back in time?
Even if it sounds too much like science fiction, it’s true. Looking into space, you are essentially looking into time because light needs time to travel the vast distances of space to reach Earth. Light waves still travel at extremely fast speeds, around 186,000 miles per second, but the light seen by the Webb may have left its source thousands of years ago.
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