Discover what exist in the universe
Exoplanet Atmosphere Analysis The James Webb Space Telescope examines the atmospheres of distant exoplanets, searching for potential signs of life. It analyzes starlight passing through these atmospheres, looking for chemical signatures. When a planet crosses between its star and the telescope, light filters through the atmosphere, and specific gases absorb […]
Sunshield Design and Function The James Webb Telescope's sunshield is an engineering marvel that keeps the telescope cool. Stretching to the size of a 20-car parking lot, this sunshade blocks heat and light from the Sun, Moon, and Earth. It consists of five layers, each no thicker than plastic wrap. […]
Design and Structure The James Webb Space Telescope's primary mirror is a marvel of engineering, composed of 18 hexagonal segments that assemble into a large optical surface after unfolding in space. Each segment is an aspheric freeform, designed to maximize optical performance. Made from gold-plated optical-grade beryllium, the segments are: […]
The Significance of Lagrange Point L2 The James Webb Space Telescope occupies a strategic position in space—Lagrange Point 2 (L2). Located approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, L2 offers a balance of gravitational forces from both the Earth and the Sun. This positioning provides several advantages for the telescope's operation: […]
Naming Controversy The James Webb Space Telescope faces ongoing controversy over its namesake. Critics allege that James Webb, NASA's second administrator, was complicit in discriminatory practices against LGBTQ individuals during his leadership roles in the 1950s and 1960s. Key points of contention include: NASA conducted an internal review of historical […]
Early Development of JWST The James Webb Space Telescope's origins trace back to the Space Telescope Science Institute in the late 1980s. Inspired by Riccardo Giacconi's challenge, scientists envisioned a successor to the Hubble Space Telescope that could observe infrared light. A 1989 workshop, "The Next Generation: A 10 m […]
JWST's Technological Capabilities The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a marvel of modern engineering, with advanced instruments that capture images in the infrared spectrum. This capability allows scientists to peer through cosmic dust, revealing secrets hidden from optical telescopes. JWST can study objects ranging from distant galaxies to near-Earth […]
Distance and Deployment The Hubble Space Telescope orbits about 570 kilometers above Earth, while the James Webb Space Telescope is positioned 1.5 million kilometers away at the Earth-Sun L2 Lagrange point. Hubble's low Earth orbit allows for maintenance missions, whereas Webb's distant location precludes repairs but provides an unobstructed view […]
Historical Estimates of Universe Size The early 20th-century view of the universe was limited, with astronomers picturing it as infinitely old and unchanging, and the Milky Way as the entire universe. Harlow Shapley's work suggested our galaxy stretched 300,000 light years across. Edwin Hubble's observations in the 1920s revealed a […]
Historical Estimates of Universe Size In the early 20th century, the universe was thought to be infinite and unchanging, with Earth at its center. Astronomers like Harlow Shapley believed the Milky Way was essentially "the universe," stretching 300,000 light-years across. Edwin Hubble's 1929 measurements revealed a much larger universe, approximately […]
