Key Missions of the James Webb Space Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope (JSWT), an infrared space observatory, was launched by the Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) launch site in French Guiana at noon today. The moments when the telescope was launched were broadcast simultaneously on NASA’s YouTube channel.

The new space telescope will conduct research to reveal the history of the universe. NASA’s largest and most powerful space science telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, is 1 million miles (1.5 million kilometers) from Earth; It will orbit the Sun. It will take about 30 days for the space telescope to reach its permanent location.

Orbital journey of new space telescope begins

As the telescope reaches orbit, a series of adjustments will be made, such as successful calibration and placement and alignment. According to the Space Telescope Science Institute, it will take about 6 months to get the best images from the new telescope.

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope; The first light in the universe, the formation of galaxies in the early universe, the birth of stars and the history of planets will basically be 4 main topics. After the necessary technical adjustments, the James Webb Space Telescope is expected to take great pictures, like the Hubble Space Telescope, which has given us access to many fascinating pictures so far.

First light and ionization

This mission is after the Big Bang started the universe as we know it today; refers to the investigation of the first stages of the universe. The universe was originally filled with particles such as electrons, protons, and netrons. The light required for these particles to begin to coalesce in the universe emerged as the particles cooled. The James Webb Space Telescope will primarily trace the first light. It will also examine the “reionization era” after the first stars formed.

assembly of galaxies

The spiral and elliptical galaxies we see today are the result of evolution over billions of years. Today, galaxy studies are the best way to look for clues about how the universe evolved. The James Webb Telescope will study the oldest galaxies to better understand evolution.

The birth of stars and planetary systems

Stars form in gas clouds and as they grow, they blow cocoon gas under the influence of radiation pressure. The infrared eyes of the new space telescope will study heat sources, including stars born in these cocoons.

Planets and origins of life

Understanding the atmospheres and formation conditions of planets can help scientists better predict whether certain planets are habitable. With the contributions of NASA’s planet-seeking Kepler Space Telescope, many exoplanets have been discovered in recent years. The powerful sensors of the James Webb Space Telescope will be able to probe these planets (including viewing their atmospheres) in depth.