NASA’s new space telescope is in the final stretch of its tests and scientific observations are expected to begin in July, astronomers from the space agency reported this Monday (05/09/2022).
The James Webb Space Telescope sent back the latest test images of a neighboring satellite galaxy, and the results are impressive when compared to images taken by NASA’s previous infrared observatory, the Spitzer Space Telescope. Each of the new telescope’s 18 mirror segments is larger than Spitzer’s single one.
“Wow!”: James Webb photos impress astronomers
It’s not until you see the kind of image it provides that you really sink in and say “wow!” said Marcia Rieke of the University of Arizona, chief scientist for Webb’s near-infrared camera. “You just have to think regarding what we’re going to learn.”
Launched last December, the $10 billion Webb is the largest and most powerful astronomical observatory ever sent into space. It will look for the light emitted by the first stars and galaxies regarding 14 billion years ago, and will keep an eye out for possible signs of life.
Scientists keep the identity of Webb’s first official target a secret. Located 1 million miles (1.6 million kilometers) from Earth, Webb is considered the successor to the aging Hubble Space Telescope.
FEW (AP, NASA)
