1. Introduction
In our previous blog, we explored how a telescope works and the important factors on which telescopes depend. Now, let’s delve into the journey from a basic telescope to the most advanced James Webb Telescope. Galileo Galilei, an astronomer, played a crucial role in this celestial voyage. In 1609, when he learned about the “Danish perspective glass,” he constructed his own magnifier called a telescope and demonstrated it in Venice.
2. The JWST: A Game-Changer in Astronomy
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST or Webb) is an orbiting infrared observatory that will complement and extend the discoveries made by the highly successful Hubble Space Telescope. With longer wavelength coverage and significantly improved sensitivity, the JWST promises to revolutionize our understanding of the cosmos.
3. Building and Launching Webb
The JWST is the largest, most powerful, and most complex telescope ever launched into space. Its design and development history predates that of the Hubble Space Telescope. The observatory consists of several key components:
Optical Telescope Element (OTE): The OTE serves as the eye of the observatory, comprising mirrors and a backplane. It collects light from space and directs it to the science instruments housed in the Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM).
Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM): The ISIM contains Webb’s cameras and instruments. It integrates four major instruments and various subsystems into a single payload.
Sunshield: The Sunshield divides the observatory into a warm sun-facing side and a cold anti-sun side. It shields the OTE and ISIM from the heat of the sun, Earth, and spacecraft electronics, allowing these critical components to remain extremely cold.
Spacecraft Bus: The Spacecraft Bus provides essential support functions for the observatory’s operation.
The JWST comprises six subsystems, including the Electrical Power Subsystem and the Attitude Control Subsystem.
4. The Webb’s Scientific Goal
a) The First Light , b) How Galaxies Form, c) Star Formation, d) Planets Around the Stars,
e) Monitoring
5. Comparison with Hubble
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) primarily observes the Universe in the infrared spectrum, whereas the Hubble Space Telescope focuses on optical and ultraviolet wavelengths. Notably:
- JWST’s large primary mirror boasts six times the light-gathering power of Hubble’s primary mirror. This advantage is crucial for observing longer, dimmer wavelengths.
- While Hubble was optimized for shorter ultraviolet and visible light, JWST’s design prioritizes infrared observations.
- If Hubble’s 2.4-meter mirror were scaled up to match JWST’s size, it would be too heavy for launch. The Webb team ingeniously developed a mirror that weighs only one-tenth of Hubble’s mirror per unit area.
- Recently, the James Webb Telescope captured a stunning image of the farthest star, located 28 billion light-years away.
6. Conclusion
In summary, this advanced and game-changing project promises to revolutionize our understanding of space. It marks the beginning of something monumental. To be continued..