Sign In
Learn bits
Science & Tech.
Mahesh

17/08/24 09:10 AM IST

James Webb Space Telescope

In News
  • Images from the James Webb Space Telescope are puzzling — instead of newborn galaxies, the early phases of the Universe appear to be full of adult-sized galaxies.
James Webb telescope
  • The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a general-purpose observatory with a large aperture telescope optimised for infrared observations and a suite of state-of-the-art astronomical instruments capable of addressing many outstanding issues in astronomy
  • Infrared optimisation: Designed primarily for infrared astronomy to observe objects which were too old, distant, or faint for visible light detection.
  • Large primary mirror: Equipped with a 6.5-meter diameter primary mirror to capture more light and provide higher-resolution images.
  • Segmented mirror design: The primary mirror comprises 18 hexagonal, gold-coated beryllium segments, thus enabling it to fold for launch and unfold in space.
  • Sunshield protection: A five-layer sun-shield, which blocks solar light and heat, maintaining the instruments at extremely low temperatures necessary for infrared observations.
  • Location at Lagrange Point 2 (L2): Operates from a stable orbit around the Sun-Earth L2 point thereby minimising light interference and reducing fuel consumption for orbital corrections.
  • High sensitivity: Its instruments are highly sensitive to infrared light thus enabling the study of the earliest stars and galaxies formed after the Big Bang
  • Cryogenic cooling system: Uses a passive cooling system to reach temperatures as low as 40 Kelvin (-233°C) which is essential for infrared observations
  • Precision guidance sensors: Equipped with sophisticated guidance sensors for accurate pointing and stability. This is crucial for long-duration observations of faint celestial objects.
  • Extended wavelength coverage: Capable of observing a wide range of wavelengths from 0.6 to 28 micrometres.
Source- Indian Express

More Related Current Affairs View All

26 Dec

Australia’s Online Safety Amendment

'Australia’s House of Representatives recently passed the “Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill, 2024” which imposes obligation on certain soci

Read More

26 Dec

Ken-Betwa river-linking project

'Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Ken- Betwa River Linking National Project on the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpaye

Read More

25 Dec

Quantum computing

'Quantum computing is an area of computer science that uses the principles of quantum theory at the atomic and subatomic levels.' It uses subatomic particles, such as electrons

Read More

India’s First Ai-Driven Magazine Generator

Generate Your Custom Current Affairs Magazine using our AI in just 3 steps