We now have a date for the first real images from the James Webb Telescope (JWT), the largest space observatory on the planet. However, the first proposed targets are always kept secret.
See you on July 12
Several weeks ago, an astronomer involved in the project promised us the first spectacular color images of the JWT in mid-July. Thing promised, thing due. After about six months of commissioning, NASA said in a statement that the first scientific images will finally be released on July 12. And these first photos are already looking spectacular.
What targets will be presented? For now, it’s impossible to say. The researchers would indeed like to keep the surprise. According to the team, it should have been five years of work between the various participating space agencies to decide what these first images will show. The idea will be to reveal the power of the telescope’s instruments, while preparing for the scientific mission to come.
« The first set of material images will highlight the scientific themes that inspired the mission and will be central to its work: the early universe, the evolution of galaxies through time, the life cycle of stars and stars. other worlds“said NASA. ” All of Webb’s commissioning data, data taken during telescope alignment and instrument preparation, will also be made public.. »
The team has already shared several photos. However, these were provisional alignment images taken to assess the capabilities of the observatory. The images of next July 12 will arrive when each instrument will have been “ calibrated, tested and will have received the green light by its scientific and technical team“, details NASA.
A first year already “booked”
Waiting for the big reveal, we know what the JWT will focus on during its first year of operation, called Cycle 1. Indeed, the agency has already published the list of planned investigations following a competition within the scientific community to determine the work with the highest priority. The same process will be repeated every year during the life of the observatory.
Among the targets analyzed during this first year of operation are brown dwarfs, galaxy clusters, protostars, targeted galaxies, quasars and others exoplanets. Get ready for many discoveries to come.