Perhaps the term Hubble sounds familiar to you, that famous space telescope that has been providing us with spectacular images of the galaxy for many years. Although it has been of great help to many scientists when it comes to studying the mysteries of the universe, the technological world has managed to create one most modern, largest and most precise: The James Webb telescope.
This new object turns out to be quite an advance in the world of Astronomy. In fact, it is also known as the telescope capable of traveling to the past. Do you want to know why? Here we will explain what is the James Webb telescope and how it works. If you are interested in the subject, I recommend that you continue reading.
What is the James Webb telescope?
When we talk about the James Webb telescope, we are referring to a more modern type of space telescope than the already famous Hubble. In fact, to this day it is the most precise and the largest that is in orbit. the james webb It is characterized by operating in the near infrared spectrum, in the middle and in the visible light, being obviously optimized as a type of astronomical observatory within the infrared spectrum. It should be noted that its mirror has a diameter of 6,6 meters and is made up of a total of 18 hexagonal-shaped segments. It is quite an advance at a scientific level, since this telescope can capture images without interference in the infrared. These usually appear because the atmosphere of our planet absorbs this type of radiation.
But what is it that makes the James Webb telescope so special? Well, thanks to him, we are now able to observe various astronomical objects like never before and with spectacular precision. Apart from this, the James Webb can infer how the first galaxies came to form, stars, and the atmospheres of extrasolar planets to determine whether they are habitable or not. You can read more about this topic in our article on the formation and evolution of galaxies.
Another reason the James Webb Telescope caused such a stir was its launch into space. Since it was a very large device, they had to figure out how to fold it up at the front of a rocket. Once it reached outer space, the telescope had to be able to open itself. As if these technological challenges weren't enough, the James Webb also had to be able to keep itself insulated from both light and heat, cooling passively, without the need for energy.
How it works
Now that we know what the James Webb telescope is, let's see a little more in detail how it is able to see the formation of galaxies and stars. As we have already mentioned before, it operates in the infrared, a spectrum that is below what would be visible light to the human eye. By detecting this type of "invisible" light, it helps scientists study various cold astronomical objects, such as the youngest planets. For more information on habitable planets and the search for life, don't miss our article on habitable planets.
The infrared light intercepted by this telescope could be, so to speak, the "echo" of the birth of the first galaxies. It takes the form of a stretched light with a red tendency. For this reason, The James Webb telescope is also known as the telescope capable of traveling to the past. The stretched light of the infrared spectrum that it captures could have been emitted from a distance of 13.500 billion light-years, which is when the first galaxies probably originated.
It should be noted that infrared radiation can pass through even stellar dust, something that visible light cannot do. This characteristic allows scientists working with the James Webb Telescope to study objects such as protostars or brown dwarf stars. These are usually surrounded by stardust, which is why studying them has always been somewhat more complicated. To learn more about this topic, you can visit our article on cosmic dust.
Motion of the James Webb Telescope
As you can surely imagine, the James Webb telescope is not anchored to a fixed point in the galaxy. It moves around the Sun, along with the Earth, and it makes an elliptical turn every 5 months and a full turn around our star annually. Of course, it has a parasol that protects it at all times from heat and sunlight.
The specific place where the James Webb telescope is located is the point of Lagrange 2, which is located no more and no less than 1,5 million kilometers from planet Earth. It is a point of gravitational equilibrium, so the energy it needs to move is minimal. Thanks to this energy saving, you can use the energy you get from your solar panels to carry out the orders you receive from our planet and send information back.
You may be wondering how long it can take for commands to be sent from Earth to the James Webb telescope. Well then, normally it is about thirty minutes or so. Remember that the information has to travel a total of 1,5 million kilometers! For more details on this aspect, you could consult our section on space missions, which has also been vital in space exploration.
Who drives it?
Another question that more than one will ask is who manages this very useful tool for astronomy. Let's see: The body in charge of this is the Space Telescope Sciences Institute (STScI) which is located in Baltimore, United States. Those present can establish contact with the telescope thanks to various antennas located in Canberra in Australia, Goldstone in the United States and in Madrid. The use of them will depend mainly on the orientation with respect to James Webb, the position of the Earth and the time of day.
It should be noted that not only American scientists have access to the James Webb Telescope, but everyone, regardless of where they are from. To this end, they must submit their projects completely anonymously. In this way, they will be chosen for their value, without taking into account the nationality, academic experience or gender of the applicant.
I hope this information about the James Webb telescope has been interesting for you. We will have to be aware of the new news related to it to be able to see the spectacular images it generates and the information it provides to scientists around the world.