The James Webb Space Telescope will bring us closer to a galaxy far, far away

June 25, 2018
by JAZZY QUICK

The Webb telescope will give us the ability to investigate the cosmos, unlocking secrets from the beginning of the Big Bang to how galaxies are formed and beyond, bringing us light years ahead of our current understanding of planetary evolution.

What Is the James Webb Telescope?

The James Webb Telescope is the newest introduction to NASA’s deep space exploration. NASA uses infrared wavelengths to measure objects very, very far away, and from those measurements, we learn about how planets are formed in different atmospheres, how galaxies are formed, and more.

The telescope is called Webb or JWST, and has a 6.5-meter mirror as its primary measurement tool. That mirror is made up of 18 separate pieces, that unfold and slide into place once it’s launched. The material of the mirrors, beryllium, is lighter than aluminum but stronger than steel, which will help it to survive out in deep space.

The James Webb Telescope also features a five-layer sunshield, about the size of a tennis court, that reduces the amplitude of the Sun’s heat. It also features many instruments, like cameras and spectrometers, that will enable it to detect and record event the faintest of signals. For a real-life comparison, think of it like this: JWST will be able to see a penny from about 24 miles away!

More:
http://bigthink.com/jazzy-quick/the-james-webb-space-telescope-will-bring-us-closer-to-a-galaxy-far-far-away