The James Webb Space Telescope: The Next Generation of Space Observatories
Introduction
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, and it is set to launch in 2021. It is a collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency, with a total cost of approximately $10 billion. This telescope is named after James E. Webb, who served as NASA administrator during the Apollo era.
Key Concepts
- Capabilities: The JWST is designed to observe the universe in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. It will be able to see the universe’s first light, which can provide insight into how the universe formed and evolved. It will also be able to study the atmospheres of exoplanets and possibly even detect signs of life.
- Size and Design: The JWST is much larger than the Hubble Space Telescope, with a primary mirror that has a diameter of 6.5 meters (compared to Hubble’s 2.4 meters). It is designed to be folded up for launch and will unfold in space. It will also have a sunshield to keep it cool and protected from the sun’s heat and light.
- Location: The JWST will be located in a special orbit called the second Lagrange point (L2), which is approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. This location is outside of Earth’s shadow and allows for constant observation of the same patch of sky.
Equations and Formulas
- The size of the primary mirror determines the telescope’s light-gathering power. The JWST’s primary mirror has a collecting area of approximately 25 square meters.
- The temperature of the sunshield must be maintained at approximately -233 degrees Celsius to protect the telescope from the sun’s heat.
Examples
- The JWST will be able to study the atmospheres of exoplanets, which are planets outside of our solar system. By analyzing the light that passes through an exoplanet’s atmosphere, scientists can learn about the planet’s composition and potential habitability. For example, the JWST may be able to detect water vapor in the atmosphere of a distant planet, which could signal the presence of liquid water and possibly even life.
- The JWST will also be able to observe the earliest galaxies in the universe, which are too far away and too dim to be seen with current telescopes. By observing these galaxies, scientists hope to learn more about the first stars and black holes and how they shaped the universe.
References for Further Learning
- NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope website: https://www.jwst.nasa.gov/
- European Space Agency’s James Webb Space Telescope website: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/JWST
- Canadian Space Agency’s James Webb Space Telescope website: https://asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/webb-telescope/
