What's New

Launched on 25th December 2021, James Webb Space Telescope has been much in the news since then. What are its unique features which make it superior to its predecessor Space Telescopes? What are the key goals of this mission? What potential benefits does it hold for the human race?

Introduction:

The James Webb Space Telescope, commonly referred to as the “Next Generation Space Telescope,” is an infrared observatory that will be significantly more potent than the Hubble space telescope as it is now in operation. It is a cooperative effort between NASA (US), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada) and intends to investigate the formation of the solar system, the history of the universe, and potential exoplanets that could support life.

Body:

• After 2 weeks in space, the Webb telescope arrived at its destination in solar orbit, which is 1.6 million kilometres away from Earth.
• In contrast, the Hubble Space Telescope, Webb’s 30-year-old predecessor, orbits the Earth at a distance of around 550 km, going in and out of the planet’s shadow every 90 minutes. The early formation of galaxies, exoplanets, and stars will be studied with the aid of Webb’s near- and mid-infrared detectors. While Webb can also observe the infant stage of galaxies, Hubble investigated the toddler stage.
• The wavelength range is the main distinction between Webb and Herschel: Webb spans 0.6 to 28 microns while Herschel covers 60 to 500 microns. Herschel’s mirror has a diameter of 3.5 metres, whereas Webb’s main mirror has 6.5 metres in diameter.
• The most potent infrared telescope ever deployed by NASA is Webb. The European Space Agency (ESA), the Canadian Space Agency, and NASA worked together internationally to create the telescope.
• the Webb space telescope’s goals
• Look for the galaxies that emerged right after the Big Bang.
• Find out how galaxies have changed when they first formed and up to the present.
• Follow the stages of star creation all the way to planetary system formation.
• Determine the planetary systems’ physical and chemical characteristics and look into the possibility of life there.

Webb will make surprising new discoveries and aid humanity in comprehending the universe’s beginnings and its significance. The telescope will also research a variety of exoplanets’ atmospheres.

In an effort to locate the components of life, it will also look for atmospheres similar to Earth’s as well as the signs of important elements including methane, water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and complex organic molecules.

In conclusion, the combined size, sensitivity, and wavelength range of the Webb telescope will make it the first of its kind. With its abilities, there is a good chance that scientists may discover something new.