The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is an upcoming space observatory that is set to revolutionize our understanding of the universe. It is often dubbed as the successor to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, as it will have groundbreaking capabilities that will allow us to see the universe in a completely new light.
The JWST is an infrared telescope and will be the largest space telescope ever launched. Its primary objective is to study the first galaxies that formed after the Big Bang, as well as to look for signs of life on other planets. It will be positioned about 1.5 million kilometers (940,000 miles) away from Earth, at a point in space called the second Lagrange point (L2). This location will provide the telescope with a clear view of the universe without any obstructions, such as those caused by the Earth’s atmosphere.
The telescope is named after James E. Webb, who served as the administrator of NASA from 1961 to 1968. He played a vital role in the Apollo program, which landed the first humans on the moon.
One of the key features of the JWST is its 6.5-meter (21 feet) primary mirror, which is much larger than the Hubble’s 2.4-meter (7.9 feet) mirror. The mirror is also coated with a thin layer of gold, which makes it highly reflective and efficient at collecting infrared light. The telescope is equipped with four scientific instruments, which will allow scientists to study the universe in great detail.
The first instrument is called the Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam), which will be used to study the formation of galaxies, stars, and planets. It can also be used to search for Earth-like planets outside our solar system that may have the potential to support life.
The second instrument is called the Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec), which will be used to study the properties of galaxies and stars. It will be able to measure the distance to far-off galaxies and study the composition of their atmospheres, as well as the physical conditions in their interiors.
The third scientific instrument is the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), which will allow scientists to study the formation of planetary systems and the atmospheres of exoplanets. MIRI will be the first instrument of its kind that will be able to detect the faint heat signatures of planets that are too dim to be seen with visible light.
The final scientific instrument is the Fine Guidance Sensor/Near InfraRed Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (FGS/NIRISS), which will be used to study the most distant galaxies in the universe. It will be able to detect light from the first stars and galaxies that formed after the Big Bang.
Overall, the JWST is expected to be a game-changer in the field of astronomy. It will provide scientists with a more detailed look at the universe and give us a better understanding of our place in it. The telescope is set to launch in March 2021 and will operate for at least a decade. The data it provides will undoubtedly lead to new discoveries and groundbreaking insights, which will push the boundaries of our knowledge of the cosmos.