All probes launched into space will inevitably be hit by micrometeoroids, and the Webb Space Telescope cannot escape this fate. However, at the end of last month, NASA discovered that the Webb telescope was hit by a micrometeoroid that was larger than expected. Resulting in visible and detectable damage to the mirror surface.
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is currently the most powerful space telescope, designed to observe the farthest reaches of the universe and explore the stars and galaxies formed following the Big Bang. It cost NASA tens of billions of dollars and more than 20 years to build. On Christmas Eve 2021, the Webb telescope was finally launched into space, and following a one-month journey, it successfully reached the L2 Lagrangian point of the Sun-Earth system, which is regarding 1.5 million kilometers away from the earth. primary mirror.
Since its launch, the Webb telescope has been hit by at least 4 micrometeoroids, but these small objects are still within the expected range of NASA. In order to avoid being damaged by high-speed micrometeoroids, NASA has also plated the mirror with gold to resist; however, Between May 23 and May 25, a micrometeoroid larger than expected hit the Webb telescope. NASA did not specify how large it was, but it caused slight distortions in the data.
Over time, the inevitable micrometeoroid impact accident will gradually reduce the telescope performance, but the Webb telescope is still in good condition, and the engineering team has adjusted the damaged mirror to eliminate data distortion, although not the most perfect solution, but The first high-resolution scientific full-color image will also be shared on July 12.
(Source of the first image:NASA）