The Webb Telescope captures images of the pillars of creation.
Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI; Joseph DePasquale (STScI), Anton M. Koekemoer (STScI), Alyssa Pagan (STScI).
What is the James Webb Space Telescope?
If you’ve recently come across stunning images from space, you’ve probably just seen the work products of the James Webb Telescope. The James Webb Telescope, often 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 (CSA) to complement and extend the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope.
The telescope observes the world at infrared wavelengths, allowing a deeper look into space to see the first stars and galaxies in the universe that formed after the Big Bang. Infrared light also makes visible stars and planetary systems forming within otherwise opaque dust clouds. The telescope will help scientists search for the first galaxies formed after the creation of the universe and study the evolution 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 located 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 made its 29-day, million-mile journey to the second Lagrange point.
Where is the Webb Telescope?
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 that orbits the Earth in low orbit.
According to NASA, 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. There are five total Lagrange points that NASA can use as “parking points” for spacecraft to remain in a fixed position with minimal fuel consumption.
The L2 point 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 hold the Sun, the Earth and the Moon behind the telescope to obtain 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 NASA official government”. It was under Webb’s leadership that NASA was able to land the first man on the moon in the Apollo program. His tenure resulted in a decade of space and scientific research that is still unparalleled 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 responsible for providing the Near Infrared Spectrograph, the Mid-Infrared Instrument Optics Suite and the Ariane launch vehicle. Finally, CSA is responsible for contributing the fine-guiding sensor/near-infrared imager and the slotless spectrograph.
How much does the telescope cost?
The Webb Telescope was reportedly an expensive project, expected to cost NASA $9.7 billion over 24 years. Actual development of the spacecraft cost approximately $8.8 billion, and an additional $861 million is planned to support five years of operations.
How long will the Webb telescope be in orbit?
The Webb telescope was designed to operate for a minimum of five years, but the goal is to make the overall mission lifetime more than 10 years.
What is the difference between the Webb telescope and the Hubble telescope?
When it comes to images from space, the terms “Webb” and “Hubble” have become buzzwords. Therefore, it can often be difficult to differentiate between the two. Although both are telescopes in space, they both have important differences.
The biggest difference between Webb and Hubble is where they each orbit. Webb does not orbit the Earth, as the Hubble telescope does. Instead, Webb orbits the Sun, 1.5 million kilometers away from Earth.
The valuable aspect of this orbit is that it allows the telescope to stay in line with Earth as it moves around the Sun. This means that the Hubble telescope is in low Earth orbit and the Webb telescope is not.
NASA
Another important difference between telescopes is the images they make. 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. Therefore, Webb can see objects at much greater distances and see further back in time than Hubble (I know that sounds like time travel, but we’ll get to that later).
Credit: NASA/ESA/M. Livio and Hubble 20th Anniversary Team (STScI)
There are also a lot of technical differences between both telescopes, such as construction, materials, size, flight duration, etc. The two differences listed above are the most important to understand their different functions.
GSFC
How does the Webb Telescope take images?
The Webb Telescope’s primary imager is its Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam). The NIRCam can detect light from the first stars and galaxies. The NIRCam was built in a joint effort by 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 at a White House event. At the time, the image was the deepest infrared image of the universe that anyone had ever seen. The image showed the galaxy cluster SMACS 0723 as it appeared 4.6 billion years ago. The full suite of images was shared later that week and featured stunning color images.
NASA, ESA, CSA and STScI
How can I view images captured by the Webb Telescope?
NASA always shares its latest news through press releases on its site. However, if you want to keep up with the latest Webb news, your best bet is to follow the telescope’s Twitter account.
This is what you’ve been waiting for. Journey with us through Webb’s stunning view of the Pillars of Creation, where dozens of newly formed stars glisten like dewdrops amid floating, translucent columns of gas and dust – your guided tour ⬇️ pic.twitter.com /jFiDDrMUPl
— NASA Hallo-Webb Telescope 🕸🕷🎃 (@NASAWebb) October 19, 2022
What has the Webb Telescope achieved?
The Webb Telescope has provided the deepest and sharpest images of the universe to date. Building the telescope was an ambitious endeavor, but now that it has succeeded, its technology will be implemented in telescopes in the future. Most recently, the Webb Telescope shared stunning images of the iconic pillars of creation.
WATCH: NASA’s Webb Telescope takes dazzling images of the pillars of creation
Can the Webb Telescope look back in time?
Although this sounds too science fiction, it is true. By looking into space, you are essentially looking back in time because light takes time to travel through the vast distances of space to reach Earth. Light waves always travel at extremely fast speeds, about 186,000 miles per second, but the light seen by Webb may have left its source thousands of years ago.