James Webb Space Telescope

Description

James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a premier space-based observatory designed primarily to conduct infrared astronomy and study the early universe.

Key Facts

Collaboration: Developed by NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
Launch Date: Launched on 25 December 2021 on an Ariane 5 rocket.
Location: Stationed at the $L_2$ Lagrange point, approximately $1.5$ million km from Earth.
Operations: Commenced scientific operations in July 2022, capturing high-resolution images of deep-space phenomena.
Key Discoveries: Photographed the earliest known galaxies (over $13$ billion years old) and characterized atmospheres of potentially habitable exoplanets.
Mirror Design: Features a primary mirror of diameter $6.5$ meters, made of $18$ hexagonal gold-coated beryllium segments.
Predecessor: Serves as the scientific successor to the Hubble Space Telescope (launched in 1990).

Category

Space

Year of Discovery/Development

2021

Key Person/Organization

NASA / ESA / CSA