BLUF
The James Webb space telescope is a quantum technological leap allowing astronomers to examine much more of the universe.Summary
The James Webb space telescope is the world’s most powerful. Soon it will be ready to start work. Key points:
- In orbit a million miles from Earth.
- $10bn cost.
- Launched folded inside an Ariane 5 rocket.
- The space observatory’s 6.5-metre gold plated mirrors still need alignment and infrared detectors chilling.
- Observations should begin in June.
- Should enable astronomers to peer back to when the first stars and galaxies were forming 13.7bn years ago-close to the Big Bang.
- Looking for extraterrestrial life.
- Has a tennis-court-sized sun shield.
- Too far from the earth for emergency repairs.
- Replaces the Hubble telescope, but only looking at infrared radiation.
- The life span of more than 10 years.
- European and Canadian space agencies are involved.
- Worth noting and remembering the following:
- Operating above Earth’s distorting atmosphere allows clearer, and more distant, research.
References
Recent Runway Posts related to this topic:
- 'SPACE' (Operating in and use of) 01: COLLECTION | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
- Alternative Link: 'SPACE' (Operating in and use of) 01: COLLECTION
- RAAF RUNWAY: RATIONALE, GUIDELINES, LEARNING OUTCOMES, ETC | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
References from the Web:
- JAN 2022 What's next for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope after its nearly million-mile journey to destination |Space.com
- JAN 2022 NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has reached its destination, 1.5 million km from Earth. Here’s what happens next | The Conversation
- JAN 2022 James Webb telescope parked in observing position | BBC News
- JAN 2022 The James Webb Space Telescope has arrived at its final destination | the New Scientist
- JAN 2022 James Webb Space Telescope's 'golden eye' opens, overcoming last major deployment hurdle | ABC News
Source Information: Guardian The
- Article Source: The Guardian
- Media Check: The Guardian - Media Bias/Fact Check (mediabiasfactcheck.com)
- RAAF RUNWAY: RATIONALE, GUIDELINES, LEARNING OUTCOMES, ETC | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
