James Webb Space Telescope

JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE

Introduction

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is an superb invention within the discipline of astronomy. All feasible current technology have been utilized in its manufacturing. It took 30 years and $10 billion has been spent on it. To renowned the services of the second administrator of NASA, James E Webb, this telescope is called James Webb Space Telescope. It is invented to understand the universe via peering into it with exceptional readability and sensitivity.

Overview 

• Purpose: The JWST is designed to reply the primary questions about the universe. When and how it is originated, how massive is the universe, and about formation of galaxies, clusters and blackholes etc.

• Launch Date: Initially it became deliberate to release this telescope in 2007, however, the launch has confronted several delays. Finally, it's miles launched on December 25, 2021 on an Ariane five rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, at the northern coast of South America.

• Location: Webb will orbit the Earth at the second Lagrange point (L2), about 1.5 million kilometers away, in which it will experience strong conditions best for astronomical observations.

Key Features

• Large Primary Mirror: A huge primary mirror of 6.5 meters in diameter, composed of 18 hexagonal segments has been hooked up. This size is nearly 3-times of the Hubble Space Telescope's 2.4 meter mirror, offering vastly stepped forward light-gathering abilities.

• Infrared Sensitivity: Unlike Hubble, which more often than not operates inside the visible and ultraviolet spectrum, Webb is optimized for infrared observations. This lets in it to penetrate cosmic dust and dirt clouds, examine cool gadgets like exoplanets, and observe the earliest galaxies whose light has been redshifted through the expanding universe.

• Sunshield: To guard the touchy units of this device from the Sun's warmness and radiation, Webb is geared up with a 5-layer sunshield. The size of this defence system is nearly same to a tennis court. This progressive design keeps a required running temperature, which isn't dangerous for the telescope and critical for infrared observations as properly.

Major Instruments and their Functionalities

Instrument                                                 Functionality

Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam)         Captures high-resolution images in the near-infrared spectrum.

Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) Analyzes the spectra of celestial objects to reveal their chemical                                                                         composition and physical properties.

Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI)         Enables spectroscopic and imaging observations in the mid-                                                                        infrared range, crucial for studying cool objects like                                                                                     exoplanets.

Fine Guidance Sensor/Near InfraRed          Provides precise pointing control and aids in exoplanet     Imager and Slitless Spectrograph                    detection through direct imaging and spectroscopy.             (FGS/NIRISS)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------        

Comparison with Hubble

Feature                         James Webb Space Telescope             Hubble Space Telescope

Primary Mirror Size 6.5 meters                                             2.4 meters

Operating Spectrum Infrared                                                     Visible and Ultraviolet

Launch Date                 December 2021                                     April 1990

Location                         L2 Lagrange Point                                     Low Earth Orbit

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                            L2 Lagrange Point

Low Earth Orbit

FAQs

1. Why is it necessary to invent a new telescope (JWST), although, Hubble Telescope was                     working very well in space?

• The JWST ambitions to take a look at the universe's earliest galaxies, have a look at the formation of stars and planetary structures using its infrared gazing ability and traits of blackholes,         exoplanets and many others. On the other hand, Hubble Telescope cannot observe the infrared                 radiations and was not able to observe the earliest galaxies whose light has been redshifted                    through the expanding universe.

2. Why is the release of the JWST delayed?

• The complexity of the telescope's layout and production, along with technical challenges                     encountered at some point of testing, have contributed to its delays. Additionally, funding and             logistical troubles have played its role as well.

3. How lengthy will the JWST assignment remaining?

• The primary mission duration is five years, with the possibility of extended operations depending on the telescope's performance and remaining fuel.

4. Can the JWST observe visible light?

• It is in most cases designed for infrared observations, however, JWST can have a look at some         quantities of the visible mild spectrum as properly.

5. Will the JWST update the Hubble Space Telescope?

• Although, James Webb Space Telescope is invented by using all modern technologies and                 handling the issues confronted by scientists working on pics/data sent by Hubble Telescope,                     but, Hubble Telescope remains very essential for scientist. Hubble will continue running along          Webb, supplying observations throughout a broader spectrum and assisting ground-based totally          observatories.

Conclusion

The James Webb Space Telescope is a awesome gift for people who are keen to understand and discover the universe. With its superior abilities and present-day generation, Webb promises to resolve some of the universe's private mysteries, reshaping our knowledge of the cosmos and our area inside it. As we eagerly count on its release and next discoveries, the future of astronomy shines brighter than ever earlier than. Like blackholes, many other things in universe are still mysteries. JWST is an indication of desire to resolve and answer few of them. Moreover, it provides a base for new inventors, researchers and scientists to move a step forward and explore the universe using technologies of their time.