You may have heard of Hubble, that famous space telescope that has been providing us with spectacular images of the galaxy for many years. Although it has been a great help to many scientists in studying the mysteries of the universe, the technological world has managed to create a more modern, larger, and more precise telescope: the James Webb Space Telescope.
This new object represents a major breakthrough in the world of astronomy. In fact, it's also known as the telescope capable of traveling to the past. Want to know why? Here we'll explain what the James Webb Space Telescope is and how it works. If you're interested, I recommend you keep reading.
What is the James Webb telescope?
When we talk about the James Webb Space Telescope, we're referring to a more modern type of space telescope than the already famous Hubble . In fact, it is currently the most precise and largest in orbit. The James Webb is characterized by its ability to operate in the near-infrared, mid-infrared, and visible light spectrum, and is obviously optimized as an astronomical observatory within the infrared spectrum. It's worth noting that its mirror has a diameter of 6,6 meters and is made up of 18 hexagonal segments. This represents a significant scientific advancement, as this telescope can capture images without interference in the infrared. This interference typically occurs because Earth's atmosphere absorbs this type of radiation.
But what makes the James Webb Space Telescope so special? Well, thanks to it, we are now able to observe a variety of astronomical objects with unprecedented precision. In addition, the James Webb can infer how the first galaxies, stars, and the atmospheres of extrasolar planets formed, helping us determine whether they are habitable. You can read more about this in our article on galaxy formation and evolution.
Another reason the James Webb Space Telescope caused such a sensation was its launch into space. Because it was such a large instrument, engineers had to devise a way for it to fold up at the front of a rocket. Once in space, the telescope had to be able to unfold itself. As if these technological challenges weren't enough, the James Webb also had to be able to remain isolated from both light and heat, cooling passively without any external power source.
How it works
Now that we know what the James Webb Space Telescope is, let's look in more detail at how it's able to observe the formation of galaxies and stars. As we mentioned earlier, it operates in the infrared, a spectrum below what is visible to the human eye. By detecting this type of "invisible" light, it helps scientists study various cold astronomical objects, such as young 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 stretched light with a redshift. For this reason, the James Webb Space Telescope is also known as the telescope capable of traveling back in time. The stretched light from 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 likely originated.
It's worth noting that infrared radiation can penetrate even stardust, something visible light cannot. This characteristic allows scientists working with the James Webb Space 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 more challenging. To learn more about this topic, you can visit our article on cosmic dust.
Motion of the James Webb Telescope
As you can probably imagine, the James Webb Space Telescope isn't fixed in one place in the galaxy. It moves around the Sun, along with the Earth, completing an elliptical orbit every five months and a full orbit around our star annually. It does, however, have a sunshield that protects it from the heat and sunlight at all times.
The James Webb Space Telescope is located at Lagrange Point 2, a staggering 1,5 million kilometers from Earth. This point is a gravitational equilibrium, meaning it requires minimal energy to move. Thanks to this energy efficiency, it can use the energy generated by its solar panels to carry out commands from Earth and transmit data back.
You might be wondering how long it takes to send commands from Earth to the James Webb Telescope. Well, it usually takes about thirty minutes. Remember that the information has to travel a total of 1,5 million kilometers! For more details on this, you can consult our section on space missions , which have also been vital in space exploration.
Who drives it?
Another question many will ask is who operates this invaluable tool for astronomy. Let's see: The organization responsible is the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), located in Baltimore, USA. Those present can establish contact with the telescope through various antennas located in Canberra, Australia; Goldstone, USA; and Madrid, Spain. Their use depends primarily on their orientation relative to the James Webb Space Telescope, the Earth's position, and the time of day.
It's worth noting that access to the James Webb Telescope isn't limited to American scientists; it's available to everyone, regardless of their location. To apply, they must submit their projects completely anonymously. This way, projects will be selected based on merit, without regard to the applicant's nationality, academic background, or gender.
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.