JWST strikes gold (once more) with beautiful photographs of the Ring Nebula

Roughly 2,200 light-years from the place you are sitting lie the Cheerio-shaped stays of a dying star — remnants that type a construction famously often known as the Ring Nebula. And on Monday (Aug. 21), scientists introduced the James Webb Area Telescope has struck gold as soon as once more, incomes a slightly stunning new view of this iconic cosmic halo.

Learn extra: James Webb Area Telescope provides a mesmerizing have a look at the Ring Nebula (photographs)

JWST lifts veil on essentially the most distant star recognized within the universe

Astronomers have begun measuring essentially the most distant star ever detected, because of the highly effective eyes of the James Webb Area Telescope (JWST).

That star, often known as Earendel, was found final 12 months by the Hubble Area Telescope. It has taken 12.9 billion years for Earendel’s gentle to achieve Earth, that means the star was shining lower than a billion years after the Large Bang spurred our universe into existence. Nonetheless, Earendel does not lie a mere 12.9 billion light-years away from us.

Learn extra: Earendel revealed: James Webb Area Telescope lifts veil on essentially the most distant star recognized within the universe

New JWST picture stuns with glowing portrait of actively forming stars

This marks essentially the most detailed picture but of the putting stellar pair Herbig-Haro 46/47 situated about 1,470 light-years away. 

Produced with the scope’s highly effective infrared eyes, the picture showcases a putting salmon-colored smear at its heart. This represents the world the place the celebrities, collectively named Herbig-Haro 46/47, are discovered.

Learn extra: James Webb Area Telescope stuns with glowing portrait of actively forming stars (photograph)

Water detected close to heart of planet-forming disk in cosmic 1st

Astronomers have for the primary time found that rocky alien worlds may possess giant quantities of water from the second they type, a brand new examine finds.

Life is discovered just about wherever there may be water on Earth. As such, the seek for probably liveable exoplanets has primarily targeted on trying to find the presence of water.

Learn extra: James Webb Area Telescope spies water close to heart of planet-forming disk in cosmic 1st

Diamond-like carbon mud detected within the universe’s earliest stars

The James Webb Area Telescope has detected the earliest-known carbon mud in a galaxy ever. 

Utilizing the highly effective area telescope, a crew of astronomers noticed indicators of the ingredient that types the spine of all life in ten totally different galaxies that existed as early as 1 billion years after the Large Bang. 

Learn extra: James Webb Area Telescope makes 1st detection of diamond-like carbon mud within the universe’s earliest stars

1st 12 months of observations has some astronomers in tears — however in a great way

July 12 marks one 12 months because the James Webb Area Telescope’s first 4 photographs have been launched to the general public. 

To mark the event, NASA skilled Taylor Hutchison spoke to Area.com concerning the impression the $10 billion James Webb Area Telescope (JWST) has had on science in its first 12 months. The astrophysicist additionally defined what could possibly be forthcoming from the JWST throughout its second 12 months of operations. 

Learn extra: James Webb Area Telescope’s ‘beautiful’ 1st 12 months has some astronomers in tears – however in a great way (unique video)

New picture of stellar nursery launched to have a good time 1st 12 months of JWST observations

To mark the one-year anniversary of James Webb Area Telescope (JWST) observations on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, NASA has launched a surprising picture that reveals star beginning in a manner that it has by no means been seen earlier than.

The brand new JWST picture options the closest star-forming area to Earth, the Rho Ophiuchi cloud advanced. Although a small and comparatively peaceable stellar nursery, the highly effective telescope’s visualization represents a chaotic close-up of the area situated 390 light-years from Earth. 

Learn extra and see the photograph right here: New James Webb Area Telescope picture launched to have a good time 1st 12 months of observations is totally beautiful (photograph)

New 3D visualization journeys again in time

A brand new 3D visualization from the James Webb Area Telescope takes viewers on a journey again in time to only after the Large Bang. 

Within the video, over 5,000 galaxies may be seen in attractive full shade and three dimensions. The cosmic journey begins with comparatively close by galaxies situated inside just a few billion light-years of Earth and concludes at Maisie’s Galaxy, which at 13.4 billion light-years from Earth is without doubt one of the most distant galaxies ever noticed by humanity and is seen because it was simply round 390 million years after the Large Bang.

Learn extra and watch the video right here: James Webb Area Telescope time travels billions of years in superb 3D visualization (video)

Detected: Most distant energetic supermassive black gap ever seen

The James Webb Area Telescope (JWST) has detected essentially the most distant energetic supermassive black gap.

The galaxy that hosts the traditional black gap, CEERS 1019, fashioned pretty early within the universe’s historical past, simply 570 million years after the Large Bang. The energetic supermassive black gap on the heart of CEERS 1019 is uncommon not just for its age and distance but in addition in that it weighs in at simply 9 million photo voltaic plenty, that means it is 9 million occasions heftier than the solar.

Learn extra: James Webb Area Telescope detects most distant energetic supermassive black gap ever seen

1st starlight from historic quasars noticed in groundbreaking discovery

With the help of the James Webb Area Telescope (JWST), astronomers have seen starlight from two early galaxies that host feeding supermassive black holes, or quasars, for the primary time. 

The energetic galaxies and the feeding supermassive black hole-powered quasars are seen as they have been when the universe was lower than one billion years previous.

Learn extra: James Webb Area Telescope sees 1st starlight from historic quasars in groundbreaking discovery

JWST captures beautiful uncooked photographs of Saturn

The James Webb Area Telescope has captured its first unbelievable photographs of the gasoline big Saturn, however they are not fairly prepared for the general public but.

The uncooked photographs of Saturn have been revealed on the unofficial web site JWST feed, which incorporates each piece of information collected by the highly effective area telescope because it started operations in mid-2023.

Learn extra: Saturn seems unbelievable in these uncooked James Webb Area Telescope photographs (photographs)

JWST spies on rocky TRAPPIST-1 exoplanet, finds unhealthy information for all times

New knowledge from NASA’s James Webb Area Telescope (JWST) reveals that the environment of a rocky exoplanet within the TRAPPIST-1 system is both non-existent or extremely skinny, making it unfavorable for internet hosting life as we all know it. 

Astronomers utilizing JWST have been capable of calculate the quantity of warmth power coming from TRAPPIST-1 c, revealing that the dayside temperature of the rocky world is about 225 levels Fahrenheit (107 levels Celsius) — the best rocky exoplanet ever characterised. At this temperature, the exoplanet’s environment is probably going extraordinarily skinny, if it exists in any respect, in keeping with a press release from NASA. 

Learn extra: James Webb Area Telescope spies on rocky TRAPPIST-1 exoplanet, finds unhealthy information for all times

James Webb Area Telescope reveals how galaxies made the early universe clear

Shortly after the Large Bang, the universe was a darkish and mysterious place. The gasoline between stars and galaxies was opaque, so no gentle may shine by. 

Utilizing observations from NASA’s James Webb Area Telescope, a world crew of astronomers led by Simon Lilly of ETH Zürich in Switzerland has discovered how the universe modified in opacity. The crew appeared again in time at galaxies from the tip of the Period of Reionization, a dramatic interval within the universe’s historical past wherein gasoline was heated, cooled after which reionized (given {an electrical} cost as soon as once more). 

Learn extra: James Webb Area Telescope reveals how galaxies made the early universe clear

JWST discovers 717 historic galaxies

The James Webb Telescope has unveiled a whole lot of historic galaxies that could possibly be among the many first members of the universe — a leap from solely a handful that have been beforehand recognized to exist on the time.

93% of the newfound galaxies that Webb noticed had by no means been seen earlier than.

Learn extra: James Webb Area Telescope discovers 717 historic galaxies that flooded the universe with 1st gentle

Faintest galaxy but within the toddler universe discovered

The James Webb Area Telescope has detected the faintest galaxy but within the toddler universe. 

The galaxy, often known as JD1, is a part of the primary era of galaxies to pop up in our universe‘s 13.8-billion-year historical past. It is about 13.3 billion light-years away from us, that means we’re observing it because it appeared when the universe was just a few hundred million years previous — a meager 4% of its present age.

Learn extra: James Webb Area Telescope spots faintest galaxy but within the toddler universe (photograph)

Cosmic ‘treasure trove’ discovered behind bars

The James Webb Area Telescope (JWST) has captured a surprising picture of a distant barred spiral galaxy as astronomers intention to check star beginning within the deeper areas of area.

JWST noticed the galaxy NGC 5068, situated 17 million light-years away within the constellation Virgo, as a part of its mission to construct what the European Area Company (ESA) calls a “treasure trove” of star formation observations in comparatively close by galaxies.

Learn extra: James Webb Area Telescope friends behind bars to disclose a cosmic ‘treasure trove’ (video)

Oldest recognized examples of advanced natural molecules discovered

The James Webb Area Telescope has spied the oldest recognized examples of advanced natural molecules within the universe, a brand new examine studies. 

These chemical compounds — very like ones present in smoke and soot on Earth — reside inside an early galaxy that fashioned when the universe was about 10% of its present age. The chemical compounds have been noticed in a galaxy often known as SPT0418-47 greater than 12 billion light-years from Earth.

Learn extra: James Webb Area Telescope spies earliest advanced natural molecules within the universe

Traces of water vapor present in super-hot exoplanet’s environment

The James Webb Area Telescope has discovered traces of water vapor within the environment of a super-hot gasoline big exoplanet some 400 light-years away from Earth. 

The exoplanet in query, WASP-18 b, is a gasoline big 10 occasions extra huge than the photo voltaic system‘s largest planet, Jupiter. 

Learn extra: James Webb Area Telescope finds water in super-hot exoplanet’s environment

JWST discovers water round mysterious comet

The James Webb Area Telescope has noticed water round a uncommon comet situated in the primary asteroid belt between Jupiter and Mars. 

The commentary represents one other scientific breakthrough for the James Webb Area Telescope (JWST), representing the primary time that gasoline, on this case, water vapor, has been detected round a comet within the primary asteroid belt. That is vital because it reveals that water within the early photo voltaic system may have been preserved as ice within the primary asteroid belt.

Learn extra: James Webb Area Telescope discovers water round a mysterious comet

Key instrument is dealing with sensor points

A mode of the JWST’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) is receiving much less sensor “throughput”, that means it is receiving lower than the anticipated quantity of sunshine on the longest wavelengths. NASA officers are at present investigating the trigger.

Learn extra: James Webb Area Telescope faces sensor glitch in deep area

James Webb Area Telescope sees identical supernova thrice over

A shocking new picture from the James Webb Area Telescope reveals a galaxy with a supernova, thrice over. That phenomenon is because of gentle bending from the huge gravitational affect of a foreground galactic cluster, as predicted by Albert Einstein. The lensing object is the galactic cluster RX J2129, situated round 3.2 billion light-years away within the constellation Aquarius. 

Learn extra: James Webb Area Telescope ‘sees triple’ with assist from Einstein (photographs)

Webb’s second instrument glitch

The James Webb Area Telescope has skilled its second instrument glitch. The observatory’s Close to Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) instrument skilled a glitch on Jan. 15 and has been unavailable for science operations since, in keeping with a NASA assertion. Learn extra>

In the meanwhile, scientists have unveiled a bunch of latest findings from the observatory, specifically along with this month’s 241st assembly of the American Astronomical Society held in Seattle and on-line. Here is an array of highlights from JWST:

Early James Webb Area Telescope findings take heart stage at key astronomy convention
James Webb Area Telescope notches 1st rocky planet affirmation
James Webb Area Telescope uncovers starbirth clues at ‘cosmic midday’ for 33,000 younger stars
James Webb Area Telescope discovers coldest interstellar ice ever seen
James Webb Area Telescope discovers water ice at ringed asteroid Chariklo ‘by outstanding luck’

Webb research a planet-forming disk

The James Webb Area Telescope‘s near-infrared digital camera (NIRCam) probed a planet-forming disk round a purple dwarf star often known as AU Microscopii or AU Mic. The examine has implications for research of future planet-friendly zones, in keeping with astronomers.

Learn extra: James Webb Area Telescope’s ground-breaking examine of a planet-forming disk hints at future exoplanet discoveries

James Webb Area Telescope recovers from glitch

The James Webb Area Telescope missed just a few days’ value of science this month, NASA has introduced.

The observatory’s glitch started on Dec. 7 when a software program hiccup within the spacecraft’s angle management system, which retains the spacecraft correctly oriented, despatched the total observatory into protected mode. Between Dec. 7 and Dec. 20, when regular observations resumed, the telescope missed just a few days’ value of science work that shall be rescheduled, in keeping with the assertion.

Learn extra>

James Webb Area Telescope showcases new element in alien planet’s environment

The James Webb Area Telescope (Webb or JWST) has much more element concerning the exoplanet WASP-39b after discovering carbon dioxide in its environment in August. New particulars showcased in research in November, based mostly on wanting on the planet’s environment, are telling astronomers extra about its formation historical past. 

“These early observations are a harbinger of extra superb science to come back with JWST,” Laura Kreidberg, director of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) in Germany who was concerned within the observations, stated in a assertion. “We put the telescope by its paces to check the efficiency, and it was almost flawless — even higher than we hoped.”

Learn extra: James Webb Area Telescope reveals alien planet’s environment like by no means earlier than

James Webb Area Telescope gives wealthy view of early galaxies

The James Webb Area Telescope is already offering detailed and distinctive observations regarding galaxies in its first 5 months of operations, in keeping with astronomers. “We’re actually on observe to realizing the dream of understanding galaxies on the earliest occasions,” Garth Illingworth, an astronomer on the College of California, Santa Cruz, stated throughout a NASA information convention held Thursday (Nov. 17) devoted to early science outcomes from the brand new observatory. 

Managers have elected to tweak the operations of the telescope to keep away from micrometeoroids, as 14 dust-sized specks smacked its 21-foot (6.5-meter) golden mirror in current months. The view Webb gives remains to be pristine, however personnel will make the modifications to keep away from “micrometeoroid avoidance zones,” NASA officers stated on Monday (Nov. 15).

Webb’s supercold digital camera again to regular operations

The James Webb Area Telescope is again to straightforward science operations after dropping one in all its 17 commentary modes in August.

Mission personnel paused use of 1 observing mode on Aug. 24 after the telescope’s supercold Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) started exhibiting indicators of friction in a grating wheel that permits astronomers to decide on which wavelength of sunshine to watch.

After two months of investigation, the Webb crew designed new pointers for utilizing the mechanism that ought to get rid of the friction. Take a look at observations with the brand new strategy on Nov. 2 cleared the best way for the instrument to renew work, in keeping with a assertion from the Area Telescope Science Institute, which operates the observatory.

Learn extra>

An internet of Webb observations spin out earlier than Halloween

The James Webb Area Telescope launched one more spooky image of the Pillars of Creation amid a creepy set of recent imagery. Lurking deep within the mid-infrared, mud clouds loom in blue in entrance of a reddish background, and the celebrities are blotted out. The brand new mid-infrared picture got here whereas scientists are nonetheless buzzing from one other Pillars view in totally different wavelengths taken solely the week earlier than.

Different creepy methods within the telescope’s roster this week embody catching a galaxy bending gentle and revealing a thriller, as scientists aren’t positive if they’re seeing two galaxies or two star cluster in behind. Hidden star formation additionally got here forth in a galaxy collision imaged in unprecedented element.

James Webb Area Telescope nonetheless surpassing expectations

The James Webb Area Telescope has been in area for almost 10 months and, regardless of a micrometeroid challenge and a glitch, the telescope’s efficiency is surpassing expectations, mission officers stated in a new replace as we speak (Oct. 20).

That is excellent news for astronomers given the spectacular observations coming from Webb, together with a new view launched Wednesday (Oct. 19) of the enduring Pillars of Creation first made well-known by the observatory’s predecessor: the Hubble Area Telescope. 

Weird rings noticed by James Webb Area Telescope

The James Webb Area Telescope noticed a set of concentric angular rings round an enormous, distant star in September. A pair of latest research reveals the primary seen proof of starlight pushing mud round, and reveals the unusual surroundings of the star WR140, which is in actual fact a system of two stars that orbit one another.

Scientists additionally modeled the molten surfaces of 16 lava world varieties within the laboratory, as they search to create a database of rocky exoplanets to assist Webb higher perceive and establish alien worlds.

James Webb Area Telescope and Hubble crew up for mud examination

In a putting picture, Astronomers captured two galaxies (underneath the widespread identify VV 191) that seem shut to one another, combining the infrared measurements taken by the James Webb Area Telescope with the seen and ultraviolet gentle imaging achieved by the Hubble Area Telescope.

In one other team-up investigation, NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory are demonstrating how its X-ray observations are offering new perspective for Webb photographs. In reality, Webb could also be at its only when it really works with different telescopes.

Wait begins for James Webb Area Telescope DART footage

NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Take a look at (DART) mission slammed into an asteroid moonlet Monday (Sept. 26) to check a planetary protection method that might redirect a future giant asteroid on a collision course with Earth. The James Webb Area Telescope was among the many observatories watching, and footage will move again from it within the coming weeks.

Scientists have additionally been speaking about Webb’s capacity to look a lot additional again in time, very near the formation of the universe some 13.7 billion years in the past. The telescope’s infrared gentle is ideal for inspecting historic stars and galaxies.

James Webb Area Telescope’s ultracold digital camera has a glitch

The James Webb Area Telescope‘s Mid-Infrared Instrument’s (MIRI) grating wheel is experiencing an issue affecting some observations. The wheel, which permits choice between gentle wavelengths, is utilized in solely one in all MIRI‘s 4 commentary modes. You possibly can learn extra concerning the glitch and NASA’s efforts for a deep-space repair right here.

Webb’s previous observations have delivered an enormous vary of science in current days. An unbelievable picture of Neptune’s rings and moons has been hailed as probably the greatest of a era. Recent atmospheric photographs of Mars are delivering new insights, and scientists are gaining details about exoplanets after Webb’s alien planet investigation.

Astronomers could also be getting Webb Area Telescope exoplanet measurements fallacious

Astronomers could also be misinterpreting James Webb Area Telescope‘s measurements of exoplanet atmospheres “by an order of magnitude”, a brand new examine suggests. 

The telescope’s bold mission in deep area contains taking measurements of the chemical compositions of the intriguing stars, galaxies and nebulas it sees, like these recent photographs of child stars within the Orion Nebula launched earlier this week.

To help with exoplanet work, telescope scientists use advanced fashions for interpretation. However a brand new examine by researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Know-how (MIT), discovered that these fashions lack the accuracy to showcase Webb’s nuances.

Full story: Astronomers could also be getting Webb Area Telescope exoplanet measurements fallacious

Webb finds an exoplanet and observes a nebula

The James Webb Area Telescope‘s discoveries proceed to span the universe.

The deep-space observatory noticed an exoplanet with proof of silicate-rich clouds; the brown dwarf is almost 20 occasions the dimensions of Jupiter. The brown dwarf known as VHS 1256 b and orbits two small purple dwarf stars, 72 light-years from Earth.

Webb’s delicate devices additionally revealed unprecedented element in a gasoline cloud known as Doradus 30, initially nicknamed Tarantula for its spider-like look. The Tarantula Nebula is situated 161,000 light-years away within the Massive Magellanic Cloud and is the brightest star-forming area in our neighborhood other than our personal Milky Method.

In the meantime, astronomers are preventing disinformation and pseudoscience suggesting that Webb disproved the Large Bang. Spoiler alert: not right.

James Webb Area Telescope snags first direct picture of planet, mysterious rings

Solely weeks into its operational part, the James Webb Area Telescope continues to make historical past.

The deep-space telescope caught its first direct picture of one other alien world. The planet is roughly 385 light-years from Earth and appears like a splotch beside the shop HIP 65426. Webb noticed the exoplanet utilizing its Close to-Infrared Digicam (NIRCam) and the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), which every have a look at totally different wavelengths of infrared gentle.

Scientists are additionally attempting to determine unusual concentric rings round a faraway star, known as WR140. The picture was launched on Twitter by citizen scientist Judy Schmidt. The ripples across the star aren’t completely round and are puzzling to scientists.

New gems from the James Webb Area Telescope

James Webb Area Telescope knowledge continues to stun. 

In an early science end result, astronomers used the observatory to detect carbon dioxide within the environment of an exoplanet. It is the primary time scientists have confirmed that individual chemical’s presence.

And multimedia whizzes have begun digging into imagery from the observatory. First, a brand new video compares views of the “Phantom Galaxy” from JWST and the Hubble Area Telescope. Then, consultants have sonified the enduring Carina Nebula photograph from the observatory’s first science-quality photographs, turning it into music.

Jupiter’s auroras and early galaxies glow in Webb imagery

Unbelievable photographs of Jupiter and its auroras shine in recent new photographs from the James Webb Area Telescope created by citizen scientist Judy Schmidt, based mostly on Webb knowledge. By the best way, if you wish to create Webb photographs of your personal, now we have an up-to-date enhancing information with Schmidt that discusses the instruments, methods and how one can make the fitting selections. You are able to do all of this without cost utilizing a generic laptop.

In the meantime, scientists launched a gobsmacking new mosaic picture from Webb showcasing distant galaxies whose gentle shifted into infrared (from seen) gentle. Coming from an period nicknamed Epoch 1, this picture comes from the Cosmic Evolution Early Launch Science Survey (CEERS) and can possible push ahead extra examine.

Exoplanets shall be among the many pioneering investigations of the James Webb Area Telescope. Scientists hope that the telescope will make clear sizzling Jupiter exoplanet atmospheres with molten rain, hurling vaporized rock or crystals from up excessive.

“On Earth, lots of these minerals are jewels,” Tiffany Kataria, who’s an exoplanetary scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, stated in a assertion. “A geologist would examine them as rocks on Earth, however they’ll type clouds on exoplanets. That is fairly wild.”

Learn extra: James Webb Area Telescope will search clouds of vaporized gems on exoplanets

James Webb Area Telescope beautiful video and engineering options

Whip by the universe on a brand new video tour by NASA’s deep-space telescope. The James Webb Area Telescope collaboration launched a “Star Wars” video tour zooming in to land upon a spectacular galaxy, known as the Cartwheel Galaxy. It is an intriguing have a look at starbirth, together with close to a supermassive black gap.

In the meantime, engineers talked concerning the new applied sciences they used to construct Webb to check out issues by no means achieved in area earlier than. Northrop Grumman (the prime contractor) and others did groundbreaking engineering to get the telescope working in deep area.

James Webb Area Telescope ‘photograph’ only a chorizo

A physicist pulled a prank on Twitter final week showcasing a photograph from the James Webb Area Telescope, which ended up being a chorizo.

The scientist Étienne Klein, director of France’s Different Energies and Atomic Vitality Fee, shared the purported James Webb Area Telescope (JWST) photograph on July 31. However after Klein’s photograph went viral, he clarified the picture was not from Webb. As a substitute, it was a slice of the Spanish sausage chorizo.

Learn extra: Scientist admits ‘area telescope’ photograph is definitely chorizo in tasty Twitter prank

James Webb Area Telescope breaking data once more

The James Webb Area Telescope has simply barely began operations, however is breaking data and performing intriguing observations in its first few weeks.

One week after the James Webb Area Telescope launched the first science photographs, astronomers detected galaxies at redshift 13, equating to about 300 million years after the Large Bang. Not lengthy after, intriguing new outcomes suggests astronomers are blasting previous that metric with attainable detections as much as redshift 20. If confirmed, these galaxies are fairly early, as they have been in existence simply 200 million years after the Large Bang.

Webb then turned its consideration to essentially the most distant star, known as Earendel, after a personality in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” prequel “The Silmarillion.” The star’s gentle took about 12.9 billion years to achieve Earth and is now seen in a bit extra element than earlier imaging from a Hubble Area Telescope deep discipline picture.

Webb additionally noticed a wheel-shaped galaxy, known as the Cartwheel, exhibiting unprecedented element within the galaxy‘s construction. Utilizing infrared gentle, Webb detected particular person stars inside the galaxy’s star-forming areas, and extra younger star clusters surrounding the galaxy’s central supermassive black gap. These zones are filled with mud and greatest seen in infrared gentle, which might peer by that.

The science scramble is in full swing!

Simply weeks into its tenure, the James Webb Area Telescope is holding scientists and area followers busy.

The astronomy group’s preprint server, arXiv.org, has seen a host of latest papers analyzing JWST knowledge. One notably sizzling subject is the seek for ever-more-distant galaxies: The observatory is now beating its personal data, recognizing galaxies that we could also be seeing simply 200 to 300 million years after the Large Bang.

Different scientists are waiting for what the observatory will be capable of uncover about supermassive black holes.

In the meantime, novice picture processors are digging into early observations, turning knowledge into artworks, like a spiraling galaxy that appears like a wormhole. And for these extra inclined to snail mail than high-tech picture evaluation, the U.S. Postal Service has a stellar new stamp on supply.

Breaking data already!

Scientists are already making record-breaking discoveries in knowledge from the James Webb Area Telescope. For instance, astronomers have noticed two galaxies which may be essentially the most distant ever seen. If the evaluation is confirmed, we’re seeing the galaxies as they existed 300 to 400 million years after the Large Bang. Learn extra>

Micrometeoroid aftermath

A report from the James Webb Area Telescope crew printed on July 12 contains particulars concerning the unexpectedly giant micrometeoroid impression the observatory skilled in late Might. Of explicit curiosity is a picture exhibiting the alignment error remaining after engineering groups adjusted the mirror to compensate. Learn extra>

Hey, Jupiter!

On Thursday (July 14), NASA launched its first photographs of photo voltaic system targets captured by the James Webb Area Telescope. The photographs present Jupiter, in addition to a few of its moons and rings.

“I could not consider that we noticed every thing so clearly, and the way vibrant they have been,” Stefanie Milam, Webb’s deputy challenge scientist for planetary science based mostly at NASA’s Goddard Area Flight Middle in Greenbelt, Maryland, stated in a press release. “It is actually thrilling to think about the potential and alternative that now we have for observing these sorts of objects in our photo voltaic system.”

Learn extra and revel in further photographs>

A primary-hand account of Tuesday’s huge reveal

Whereas the remainder of us settled for watching from residence, a fortunate viewers crowded into an auditorium in Greenbelt, Maryland, to expertise the discharge of the James Webb Area Telescope’s first science-quality photographs first-hand. Area.com Contributor Rebecca Sohn was a kind of attendees, and he or she shared what it was wish to be on the heart of the universe. Learn her account>

What’s subsequent for Webb?

With the primary beautiful photographs unveiled, what comes subsequent for the James Webb Area Telescope? Scientists have promised that extra observations will pour out from the mission this week, together with the primary photographs of Jupiter, due on Thursday (July 14).

In the meantime, the telescope is digging into each its early science suite and its first 12 months tasks. However scientists are already wanting forward the observatory’s second 12 months, which begins subsequent summer season, because the telescope is out-performing the expectations researchers deliberate this 12 months’s work round. Learn extra>

And in case you are catching up, this is all our protection to this point of yesterday’s picture launch:

Behold! The James Webb Area Telescope’s beautiful 1st science photographs are right here.>
Gallery: James Webb Area Telescope’s 1st photographs>
1st James Webb Area Telescope photographs thrill astronauts, celebs and extra>
Science and emotion meet as astronomers reply to 1st photographs from James Webb Area Telescope>

Webb photographs on the massive screens

Fortunate passers-by have been handled to fairly the spectacle when the primary scientific photographs of the James Webb Area Telescope shone amid the brilliant lights of Instances Sq., New York, and Piccadilly Circus, London, on Tuesday (July 12).

The beautiful photographs of Stephan’s Quintet, the putting Southern Ring Nebula (seen right here), the Cosmic Cliffs within the Carina Nebula and the deep discipline picture that was unveiled on Monday (July 11) by President Joe Biden on the White Home adorned the streets, gifting city-dwellers a novel view of the cosmos.

Google marks the event

Google will get in on the James Webb Area Telescope (JWST) motion with an lovable Google Doodle celebrating the area observatory’s first photographs.

The doodle reveals Webb snapping photographs of the Stephan’s Quintet, the putting Southern Ring Nebula, the Cosmic Cliffs within the Carina Nebula and the deep discipline picture that was unveiled yesterday by President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and NASA Administrator Invoice Nelson on the White Home.

Full protection of Webb’s first photographs

We’re having fun with a short pause within the pleasure as NASA prepares for a information convention starting at 12:30 p.m. EDT (1630 GMT), throughout which scientists and officers will reply extra questions concerning the newly launched photographs. Whereas we wait, take a look at our full protection of as we speak’s reveals! Learn extra>

Final however not least!

Lastly, NASA unveiled a model new picture of the Carina Nebula, a distant, huge cloud of gasoline and dirt the place stars are each forming and dying.

“This beautiful vista of the cosmic cliff of the Carina Nebula reveals new particulars about this cosmic nursery,” Amber Straughn, an astrophysicist at NASA’s Goddard Area Flight Middle in Maryland, stated. “There’s a lot happening right here, it is so stunning.”

Stephan’s Quintet

Subsequent up from the stay reveal: beautiful views of what scientists name Stephan’s Quintet, a group of 5 galaxies, as seen in each near- and mid-infrared.

“It is only the start,” Mark McCraughrean, an astronomer on the European Area Company, stated. “We’re prepared now, this telescope is working fantastically effectively.”

Try the Southern Ring!

“After we noticed the primary shade photographs, we knew that we had a winner,” Karl Gordon, an astronomer at Area Telescope Science Institute, stated of the science crew’s earliest seems on the James Webb Area Telescope’s knowledge. Right here, JWST’s abilities are utilized to the Southern Ring nebula.

See inside an exoplanet’s environment

Picture no 1 of as we speak’s reveals reveals the environment of a sizzling exoplanet known as WASP-96 b. Learn extra right here>

Beginning quickly! Here is the schedule for the day.

At present’s the day area followers have been ready for. Here is what to anticipate as NASA unveils the primary science-quality photographs from the James Webb Area Telescope:

9:45 a.m. EDT (1345 GMT): Opening remarks from NASA management.

10:30 a.m. EDT (1430 GMT): Particular person launch of every new picture.

12:30 p.m. EDT (1630 GMT): NASA officers and scientists will maintain a information convention.

You possibly can watch all of those occasions right here at Area.com, and we’ll be sharing stay updates all through the day.

The large reveal of James Webb Area Telescope photographs is as we speak!

An avalanche of photographs from the magnificent James Webb Area Telescope is about to be unleashed onto the world as we speak after a taster glimpse into the deepest universe was unveiled on Monday (July 11) by U.S. President Joe Biden.

Scientists and area fanatics alike have been just about star-struck by Webb’s sharp gaze and the plethora of distant objects the telescope revealed. However the perfect is but to come back through the official picture launch that’s set to begin at 10:30 a.m. EDT (1430 GMT) as we speak (July 12), which you’ll be able to watch right here at Area.com courtesy of NASA.

The area company has beforehand hinted which celestial objects area followers can sit up for seeing in these photographs. On Friday (July 8), the company introduced that the reveal will embody views of the Carina and Southern Ring nebulas, in addition to Stephan’s Quintet of carefully packed galaxies. Additionally on the agenda is observations of an exoplanet known as WASP-96 b, though JWST will not offer a picture of the distant world. As a substitute, scientists will share a spectrum of the planet, which splits gentle by wavelength, providing perception into the chemical composition.

President Biden unveils JWST’s 1st science picture

At present (July 11), U.S. President Joe Biden and NASA Administrator Invoice Nelson revealed the primary science-quality picture taken by the company’s $10 billion James Webb Area Telescope. The shot, often known as Webb’s First Deep Area, reveals an amazingly sharp ultra-deep view of the universe, capturing a galaxy cluster known as SMACS 0723 because it appeared 4.6 billion years in the past. Learn extra right here>

That is only the start for the Webb mission, which is now prepared to start its extremely anticipated science mission. NASA will reveal a raft of different science-quality Webb photographs throughout an occasion on Tuesday morning (July 12). You possibly can watch it right here at Area.com. 

Take a video tour of Webb’s first targets

On Friday, NASA launched the listing of objects that may star within the first science-quality photographs from the James Webb Area Telescope, that are being launched Monday night and Tuesday morning. Tour them on this video!

President Biden to unveil first Webb picture from White Home as we speak

President Joe Biden will unveil the primary picture from NASA’s James Webb Area Telescope, Monday July 11, immediately from the White Home, NASA introduced.

You possibly can watch the Monday reveal stay right here on Area.com at 5 p.m. EDT (2100 GMT) , courtesy of NASA, or immediately on NASA TV. 

The Monday launch would be the first time the general public will get a glimpse of a full-color, science-grade picture from the James Webb Area Telescope, essentially the most advanced and costly observatory ever constructed.

Introduced on Sunday, July 10, the occasion comes lower than 24 hours forward of the primary launch of the primary science-grade photographs from the observatory, which is scheduled to start at 9.45 a.m. EDT (1345 GMT).

NASA Administrator Invoice Nelson will present remarks, and the picture will concurrently be launched to the general public by way of NASA’s web site, NASA stated in a assertion.

Beforehand, the area company launched a sequence of engineering photographs that offered an enchanting preview of the potential of the telescope, which photographs the cosmos in infrared wavelengths and might thus see far more distant objects than the Hubble Area Telescope. 

The engineering photographs, scientists stated, saved exceeding expectation, confirming that after years of delays and cost-overruns, the high-tech observatory is about to stay as much as the expectations and revolutionize our understanding of the universe.

Listed here are the themes of Webb’s first science photographs

NASA has unveiled an inventory of celestial objects that may function in Tuesday’s launch of the primary science-quality photographs taken by the James Webb Area Telescope. From nebulas to an exoplanet and extra, see the total listing right here>

Shock! We’ll know extra about Webb’s first science photographs tomorrow

We’ll know a smidge extra concerning the topics of the James Webb Area Telescope’s first science-quality photographs a bit sooner than anticipated. NASA has determined to launch on Friday (July 8) an inventory of the targets that shall be depicted within the observatory’s first knowledge launch, scheduled for July 12, in keeping with a assertion.

We’ll be again tomorrow to provide the rundown on that listing!

One other beautiful preview

It is one other teaser for simply how a lot now we have to sit up for on Tuesday (July 12) when NASA unveils the primary science-quality photographs from the James Webb Area Telescope. (Watch stay right here.) On Wednesday (July 7), NASA launched an engineering picture taken by the observatory’s High-quality Steering Sensor — not a science instrument however an engineering instrument that retains the telescope pointing correctly. Nonetheless, the brand new picture is at present the deepest ever view of the universe and guarantees good issues to come back from the observatory. Learn extra>

“That is actually solely the start.”

Throughout a media occasion held on Wednesday (June 29), scientists hailed the James Webb Area Telescope photographs that NASA will launch on July 12. Company officers hinted at what a few of these photographs shall be, scientists mentioned what they hope to study from the observatory’s early work, and engineers recounted tense moments from the lengthy path to having an operational telescope in area. Learn extra>

Hear stay!

NASA officers will focus on preparations for the primary science-quality photographs from the James Webb Area Telescope throughout a media teleconference as we speak that you could hearken to stay starting at 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT) within the window above, courtesy of NASA.

Webb’s first instrument is prepared for science!

The primary of the James Webb Area Telescope’s 4 devices has been declared prepared for science. The Close to-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph instrument, or NIRISS, is designed to assist scientists examine the atmospheres of exoplanets, amongst different science duties. Learn extra>

In the meantime, area followers across the globe are counting all the way down to July 12, when NASA has stated it’s going to unveil the primary science photographs from the observatory. You can watch the announcement stay on Area.com, in fact, and keep tuned for extra protection.

Webb suffers first micrometeoroid impacts

The James Webb Area Telescope has suffered its first few micrometeoroid impacts, in keeping with a NASA assertion. The observatory has skilled 4 small impacts in addition to one bigger strike that hit one of many 18 main mirror segments. Nonetheless, the company stated that it doesn’t count on significant modifications to the timeline for first science-quality photographs from the mission or to the observatory’s general scientific legacy. Learn extra>

Mark your calendars!

NASA has introduced that it’ll unveil the primary science-quality photographs from the James Webb Area Telescope on July 12. We do not but know what celestial objects these photographs will present — however they need to be unbelievable. “These photographs would be the end result of many years of dedication, expertise, and goals — however they can even be only the start,” Eric Smith, Webb program scientist at NASA, stated in a press release. Learn extra>

Webb tracked an asteroid for the primary time

The James Webb Area Telescope has efficiently tracked an asteroid, an vital testing milestone that proves the observatory can monitor objects inside our photo voltaic system that seem like shifting fairly shortly. Learn extra>

Webb is within the homestretch of commissioning

NASA provided an replace on the commissioning of the James Webb Area Telescope on Monday (Might 9), which highlighted a take a look at picture taken by its Mid-Infrared Instrument, or MIRI. The company in contrast the brand new picture, exhibiting a part of the neighboring Massive Magellanic Cloud galaxy, with one taken by NASA’s earlier infrared observatory, the retired Spitzer Area Telescope. Learn extra>

NASA will replace on Webb’s ultimate prep levels

The James Webb Area Telescope is getting into its ultimate commissioning part earlier than starting science operations this summer season. The final part will deal with testing the devices aboard the observatory and is predicted to take about two months.

NASA personnel will replace the general public concerning the telescope’s progress to this point and what stays to be achieved throughout a information convention on Monday (Might 9) at 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT), which you’ll watch right here on Area.com courtesy of the company or immediately on the company’s web site.

Learn extra>

Webb is totally aligned and the views are beautiful!

The three-month means of aligning the James Webb Area Telescope’s devices and mirrors is lastly full, in keeping with a NASA assertion launched as we speak (April 28). The company shared pattern photographs that, whereas small, showcase the sharp focus of the instrument and supply a tantalizing have a look at what’s to come back. Learn extra>

Webb cools down

In a brand new replace, NASA revealed that the James Webb Area Telescope is nearly fully-cooled. 

Webb observes in infrared gentle, which we all know greatest as warmth. To verify its observations aren’t contaminated by any warmth from the scope itself, Webb must be extraordinarily chilly. In a brand new weblog publish, NASA shared that the area telescope could be very near its ultimate temperature. 

Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) is now cooled to underneath 7 kelvins (-447 levels Fahrenheit (-266 levels Celsius) and so Webb’s devices are all at their working temperatures. Now, the scope’s mirrors simply want to achieve their ultimate cooled-down temperatures. 

Webb meets essential temperature milestone

The James Webb Area Telescope’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) lastly reached the super-cold temperature wanted to function as designed. As a result of the instrument targets infrared gentle, which manifests as warmth, the instrument should stay underneath 7 levels Kelvin, which is equal to minus 447 levels Fahrenheit (minus 266 levels Celsius). And after a sophisticated, cautious cooling course of, that milestone has been reached, in keeping with NASA. Learn extra>

James Webb Area Telescope most heat-sensitive instrument cooling to absolute zero

The James Webb Area Telescope continues to chill down to its working temperature of minus 369.4 levels Fahrenheit ( minus 223 levels Celsius) because it prepares to take its first scientific photographs of the distant universe this summer season. One of many telescope’s 4 devices, the Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI), wants some additional assist from a devoted cryocooler because it must get to a fair colder temperature of  minus 447 levels F ( minus 266 levels C), solely 12 levels F (7 levels C) above absolute zero, the temperature the place the movement of atoms stops.

Only one alignment left

The James Webb Area Telescope has only one step of its seven-phase alignment course of left to finish, NASA introduced on April 1. The remaining step requires that the observatory’s most heat-sensitive instrument, the mid-infrared instrument or MIRI cool even farther. That ought to happen within the subsequent few weeks, NASA stated, at which level mission personnel can start calibrating the observatory’s devices. Learn extra>

Europe’s Gaia observatory spies James Webb Area Telescope (photograph)

Europe’s star-mapping Gaia area observatory managed to snap a picture of NASA’s $10 billion James Webb Area Telescope on Feb. 18, when the duo have been about 620,000 miles (1 million kilometers) aside, we realized as we speak (March 16).

You possibly can’t see a lot of Webb — it seems as a faint speck in opposition to a discipline of stars — however recognizing the scope in any respect is an actual achievement. Learn our full story right here.

James Webb Area Telescope notches “effective phasing” alignment milestone

The James Webb Area Telescope retains checking off packing containers on the best way towards the beginning of science operations this summer season.

The Webb crew has aligned the $10 billion scope’s 18 main mirror segments and targeted them on a single star, NASA officers introduced as we speak (March 16). Extra fine-tuning work stays, however it’s an enormous milestone for the mission and for NASA.

“Greater than 20 years in the past, the Webb crew got down to construct essentially the most highly effective telescope that anybody has ever put in area and got here up with an audacious optical design to satisfy demanding science objectives,” Thomas Zurbuchen, affiliate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, stated in a press release as we speak. “At present we are able to say that design goes to ship.”

Learn the ful story right here.

NASA guarantees Wednesday Webb replace and new picture

NASA will replace the general public on Wednesday about progress aligning the James Webb Area Telescope’s main mirror. The golden mirror is made up of 18 hexagonal segments that have to be in good alignment for the observatory to seize sharp photographs.

And it feels like that course of goes effectively: NASA has promised a brand new picture as effectively. “Members will share progress made in aligning Webb’s mirrors, leading to a totally targeted picture of a single star,” NASA officers wrote in a assertion.

The NASA briefing will start on Wednesday (March 16) at 12 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT) and you may watch stay right here at Area.com or immediately by way of the company’s YouTube. Audio system will embody:

• Thomas Zurbuchen, affiliate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters in Washington
• Lee Feinberg, Webb optical telescope ingredient supervisor, NASA’s Goddard Area Flight Middle in Greenbelt, Maryland
• Marshall Perrin, Webb deputy telescope scientist, Area Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore
• Jane Rigby, Webb operations challenge scientist, Goddard
• Erin Wolf, Webb program supervisor, Ball Aerospace in Broomfield, Colorado

Webb telescope to check quasars, Kuiper Belt

Because the James Webb Area Telescope continues its checkout checks in deep-space, scientists proceed to eagerly await the flood of science discoveries they hope to make with the $10 billion area observatory. 

Our newest updates on the Webb area telescope’s mission should do with the Kuiper Belt and quasars, targets each close to (in astronomical scales) and much that Webb will observe to raised perceive the universe. 

First, the Kuiper Belt, which is residence to icy objects leftover from the formation of the photo voltaic system. As contributing author Elizabeth Howell writes as we speak, a few of Webb’s earliest duties shall be to watch good quasars on the coronary heart of distant galaxies to check how these distant objects (powered by black holes billions of occasions the mass of our solar) formed the early universe. You possibly can learn the total story right here.

Extra nearer to house is the Kuiper Belt, the stomping grounds for Pluto and its largest moon Charon, which shall be a goal for Webb. As contributing author Stefanie Waldek studies, one other one in all Webb’s early science objectives shall be to watch Pluto and another objects within the Kuiper Belt on the fringe of the photo voltaic system to trace them over time and study their floor chemistry and why there may be such a various vary of objects there. 

“Utilizing Webb, we will get details about floor chemistry which may be capable of give us some clues into why there are these totally different populations within the Kuiper Belt,” Heidi Hammel, a Webb interdisciplinary scientist for photo voltaic system observations, stated in a press release. 

Learn the total story right here.

Webb instrument work continues

NASA engineers are engaged on the fourth stage of the lengthy course of to align the mirrors of the James Webb Area Telescope, in keeping with a brand new assertion from the company.

The observatory’s Close to-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) instrument has completed preliminary check-out and its three key mechanisms have efficiently been characterised, the assertion famous. The instrument will enable Webb to check the “fingerprint” of sunshine of as much as 100 galaxies at a time, giving scientists essential details about mass, temperature and chemical composition.

We’re additionally highlighting extra of the analysis that Webb will execute as soon as science observations start, together with finding out unusual “sub-Neptunes” and evaluating how the exercise of stars may have an effect on close by planets.

Learn extra

Almost midway by mirror alignment

The James Webb Area Telescope crew simply accomplished the third of seven deliberate steps to align the 18 segments of Webb’s huge mirror. 

Throughout the second stage, known as “phase alignment,” the crew corrected the positions of Webb’s main mirror segments and up to date the alignment of the secondary mirror to convey the 18 particular person photographs into focus. They then stacked the 18 photographs to provide one unified picture. “After future alignment steps, the picture shall be even sharper,” NASA officers stated in a press release Friday (Feb. 25).

Learn the total story

Webb instrument work continues easily

Because the James Webb Area Telescope continues the sluggish commissioning part, work goes easily, in keeping with a NASA assertion printed Thursday (Feb. 24). That replace notes particulars about progress in a number of devices, together with filter wheel calibration for the Close to Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) and wheel tuning for the Close to Infrared Digicam (NIRCam). Engineers are additionally working to exactly align the 18 hexagonal segments that make up the observatory’s huge golden mirror.

Science observations aren’t anticipated to start till this summer season, however there’s loads of science to get enthusiastic about through the wait. That science contains plans to contribute to the Occasion Horizon Telescope’s observations of the black gap on the heart of the Milky Method and a program to watch star formation at present hidden by layers of mud.

Sharpening sight

The primary picture NASA shared from the model new James Webb Area Telescope confirmed a star warped over 18 totally different photographs resulting from inconsistencies within the mirror’s alignment. Only a week later, a brand new picture nonetheless reveals one star 18 occasions, however now the glint types a type of cosmic snowflake because the observatory’s picture has sharpened. Learn extra>

Science sneak peek: interstellar asteroids

Whereas James Webb Area Telescope engineers proceed aligning the observatory’s segmented golden mirror, scientists are waiting for the analysis the telescope will start conducting this summer season. Total, the observations will vary from our personal photo voltaic system to the very earliest days of the universe.

One instance of what astronomers hope to do with Webb? Examine any interstellar objects that come speeding by our photo voltaic system. To this point, scientists have noticed two: ‘Oumuamua in 2017 and Comet Borisov in 2018. However the James Webb Area Telescope is extra highly effective than something within the sky throughout these two visits, plus it has the capability to watch in infrared, a key ability. Learn extra>

It is a lock!

The James Webb Area Telescope’s High-quality Steering Sensor has efficiently locked onto a star for the primary time, in keeping with a NASA assertion. The instrument performs a vital position facilitating observations, because it retains the telescope pointing towards the right goal. Learn extra>

Earlier than science observations can start, nonetheless, the observatory nonetheless wants to complete aligning the 18 hexagonal segments of its golden main mirror, a course of that the High-quality Steering Sensor additionally helps. Though Webb has begun gathering observations and shared its first photographs final week, these will present the identical star a number of occasions till the mirror segments are correctly aligned.

Webb mission crew ecstatic over first photographs

At present (Feb. 11), NASA revealed that the James Webb Area Telescope has captured its first photographs of starlight.

And, whereas the mission crew remains to be cautiously wanting forward as there may be a lot work to be achieved earlier than the scope is totally operational and able to start science observations, they’re ecstatic. 

“In any case these years, to really see knowledge once we’re in zero gravity in area, it’s emotional,” Lee Feinberg, the Webb optical telescope ingredient supervisor at NASA’s Goddard Area Flight Middle in Maryland, informed Area.com as we speak throughout a information convention

Nonetheless, “We nonetheless are being just a little cautious, as a result of we nonetheless have issues that now we have to get by … however I’ll positively say once I went residence Saturday night time, two days later [after the image was taken], I do know my spouse stated to me it was the primary time she’d seen me smile since December,” he added.

Learn extra concerning the crew’s excited response and Webb’s thrilling milestone right here.

See Webb’s first view of area!

NASA has unveiled Webb’s first picture. The photograph, as seen above, reveals a star known as HD 84406 as seen by every of the observatory’s 18 golden mirror segments as scientists proceed to work to align the mirror to provide a single, ultra-crisp picture of the universe.

The company additionally posted a video sharing the story behind the picture:

However that is not all the thrill for as we speak! NASA has additionally launched an annotated model of the identical picture, plus a “selfie” taken by the observatory of its personal golden mirror. See these photographs and skim extra right here>

And remember to hearken to NASA scientists speak concerning the new photographs stay proper now (11 a.m. EST/1600 GMT)! You possibly can hear right here at Area.com.

First Webb photographs out there tomorrow, NASA says

NASA will launch among the first photographs taken by the James Webb Area Telescope on Friday (Feb. 11) at 10:30 a.m. EST (1530 GMT), in keeping with an company replace. Whereas these photographs are an vital milestone within the observatory’s commissioning, do not get your hopes up for the subsequent nice view of the universe: These are photographs taken through the mirror alignment course of and are strictly utilitarian.

As well as, NASA will supply an replace on its progress aligning the 18 mirror segments of Webb’s huge main reflector. The teleconference will start at 11 a.m. EST (1400 GMT) and shall be out there to hearken to on NASA TV or right here at Area.com.

Audio system will embody:

• Lee Feinberg, Webb optical telescope ingredient supervisor, NASA’s Goddard Area Flight Middle in Greenbelt, Maryland
• Marshall Perrin, Webb deputy telescope scientist, Area Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore
• Marcia Rieke, principal investigator for the NIRCam instrument and regents professor of astronomy, College of Arizona in Tucson

Webb is painted black – however why?

NASA’s James Webb Area Telescope is lastly at its residence in area the place it is getting ready to watch the cosmos. However to do that, it has to remain ultra-cold. (Webb’s “cool aspect” is minus 388 levels Fahrenheit (minus 233 levels Celsius).)

Webb observes infrared gentle, aka warmth, which implies that to make sure that observations aren’t affected by any further heat the scope has to remain tremendous chilly. To maintain Webb chilly sufficient, the mission crew painted its radiator (which helps to radiate warmth away from the telescope) and elements an ultra-black shade. 

Learn extra about Webb’s paint job and why it has to remain so chilly right here.

“First gentle” photographs coming quickly

NASA could possibly be releasing the primary photographs from the James Webb Area Telescope within the subsequent few days, NASA’s Webb program director Greg Robinson stated in an company city corridor assembly as we speak (Feb. 8). However do not count on these first photographs to be fairly.

“So the attractive, very clear photographs that we count on to see, you may see these in the summertime someday roughly six months after launch,” Robinson stated. “Someday subsequent few days, you will notice among the first photographs that aren’t so clear … the aim of these is to align the mirrors and ensure the whole system is working,” he added. “We’re in that course of proper now. We only in the near past began it. So keep tuned over the subsequent few days on these.”

Telescope alignment begins

The James Webb Area Telescope mission crew has begun the three-month means of aligning the telescope, NASA officers introduced as we speak (Feb. 3). 

“This milestone marks the primary of many steps to seize photographs which might be at first unfocused and use them to slowly fine-tune the telescope,” NASA officers wrote in an replace as we speak. “That is the very starting of the method, however to this point the preliminary outcomes match expectations and simulations.”

Learn the total story: Alignment of James Webb Area Telescope begins

James Webb Area Telescope’s exoplanet plan, devices on

NASA flight controllers are have switched on the 4 primary devices aboard the James Webb Area Telescope as they put together to snap the primary photographs of a goal star that shall be used to align the observatory’s 18-segment primary mirror. 

The instrument activation started final week. Here is our full report from senior author Tereza Pultarova. 

In the meantime, with Webb’s commissioning underway, scientists at the moment are eyeing a future of wonderful astronomy with the large area observatory. One scientist, the Ph.D. candidate Louis-Philippe Coulombe of the College of Montreal, wrote in an op-ed that he’s desirous to see how Webb will assist map the environment of exoplanets,  one thing the observatory ought to be capable of do higher than any area telescope thus far.

James Webb Area Telescope waking up

The James Webb Area Telescope is starting to get up. 

In a city corridor press convention on Friday (Jan. 28), scientists with NASA’s Webb Area Telescope mission outlined the work to this point to fee the observatory at its new residence on the Earth-sun Lagrange level 2. Throughout that digital briefing, Webb scientists outlined the activation sequence for Webb’s primary devices, in addition to the months-long mirror alignment and focusing work that’s underway now. 

Learn our full story from Elizabeth Howell on Webb’s commissioning work from the briefing.  

Meet Webb’s 1st goal star: HD 84406

Scientists with NASA’s James Webb Area Telescope have picked the primary star they are going to intention at with the brand new observatory and it is in a really acquainted place. 

The star, known as HD 84406, is situated within the constellation Ursa Main, the Large Bear, which is residence to a star sample chances are you’ll know higher because the Large Dipper. 

Webb scientists will use the star to focus every of the 18 mirror segments of Webb’s main mirror. HD 84406 is a sun-light star about 260 light-years from Earth, and may have binoculars to see clearly. 

Here is our full story on HD 84406, the primary goal of the James Webb Area Telecope.

Additionally this week, Invoice Ochs, NASA’s Webb telescope challenge supervisor, thanked the mission crew for its superb work and dedication to get the observatory to its L2 observing spot. Ochs quoted Jimmy Buffett as he hailed the crew, altering some key lyrics. 

Test it out! 

Hey, devices!

In accordance with an emailed assertion from the Canadian Area Company (CSA), Webb will start turning on its science devices as we speak (Jan. 28). That may embody the High-quality Steering Sensor, which is able to information the observatory’s mirrors by the fragile alignment course of to show 18 small particular person views into one huge view of the universe.

Within the meantime, think about studying this op-ed from Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA’s affiliate administrator for science, celebrating the huge crew behind the James Webb Area Telescope.

“We did it. We did it, and you may see that speck of sunshine within the sky due to an unbelievable crew with extraordinary tenacity,” Zurbuchen wrote. Learn extra>

Scientists relieved (and thrilled) after Webb’s trek

With the James Webb Area Telescope now at its ultimate vacation spot, scientists can set free a deep sigh of reduction. After simply over a month in area (and many years in growth), Webb is now at its observing web site. 

“We’re a month in, and the newborn hasn’t even opened its eyes but. However that is the science that we’re wanting ahead to,” Jane Rigby, Webb operations challenge supervisor at NASA’s Goddard Area Flight Middle, stated throughout a media teleconference on Monday.

You possibly can learn Rigby’s response and people of her Webb telescope colleagues on this replace from as we speak’s teleconference by contributing author Elizabeth Howell. 

Area.com Senior Author Chelsea Gohd has this account of Webb’s arrival at L2 with feedback from NASA chief Invoice Nelson and others.

The James Webb Area Telescope is “residence”

At present (Jan. 24), the James Webb Area Telescope arrived in orbit round L2, the second sun-Earth Lagrange level, its ultimate vacation spot after an extended nearly million-mile (1.5 million kilometers) journey from Earth. 

To study extra about Webb’s arrival at L2, take a look at this text on Area.com right here.

Webb arrives at L2!

The James Webb Area Telescope has arrived!

Webb has accomplished the mid-course correction burn (MCC2), an insertion burn that has guided it into its orbit round its ultimate residence in area, NASA introduced in a weblog publish as we speak (Jan. 24). 

Starting at 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT), the area telescope fired its onboard thrusters for about 5 minutes (297 seconds) to finish this burn maneuver. The burn added nearly 2.6 miles per hour (1.6 meters per second) (a strolling tempo, NASA famous), to Webb’s pace because the craft sailed right into a halo orbit round its vacation spot: L2, the second sun-Earth Lagrange level. 

L2, which lies nearly 1,000,000 miles (1.5 million kilometers) from Earth reverse the solar, is a gravitationally secure level that Webb will orbit as it really works. Webb will spend the subsequent few weeks in its new residence cooling down earlier than taking about 5 months to organize its science devices to get to work.

“Webb, welcome residence!” NASA Administrator Invoice Nelson stated within the weblog publish. “Congratulations to the crew for all of their exhausting work guaranteeing Webb’s protected arrival at L2 as we speak. We’re one step nearer to uncovering the mysteries of the universe. And I can’t wait to see Webb’s first new views of the universe this summer season!”

Be part of NASA stay at 3 p.m. EST (2000 GMT) right here to study extra concerning the profitable arrival and what’s subsequent for Webb.

Insertion burn beginning!

The James Webb Area Telescope has begun its mid-course correction burn (MCC2), the insertion burn that may ease it into its halo orbit round its final residence in area: L2, the second Lagrange level. 

Lagrange factors are gravitationally secure factors in area, and L2 is situated nearly 1,000,000 miles (1.5 million kilometers) away from Earth on the other aspect of the solar. This vantage level will assist Webb to remain chilly, which is essential for its science devices to work as deliberate.

Be part of NASA consultants LIVE at 3 p.m. EST (2000 GMT) to listen to about Webb’s progress and new residence at L2. 

About to start insertion burn!

Webb is about to fireside its thrusters to get to its final vacation spot!

At present (Jan. 24), the James Webb Area Telescope makes its arrival at its new residence in area, in orbit round L2, the second sun-Earth Lagrange level which lies on the other aspect of Earth because the solar. 

To get into orbit round L2, Webb is starting what is named the mid-course correction burn (MCC2), an insertion burn that may ease the area telescope into its working orbit, a halo orbit, round L2. 

Webb will start MCC2 at 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT) and, at 3 p.m. EST (2000 GMT), NASA officers shall be updating the general public and answering questions stay proper right here.

At present is the day!

Almost a month after its beautiful Christmas Day launch, NASA’s James Webb Area Telescope is because of arrive in orbit round L2 as we speak (Jan. 24).

At about 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT), the mission crew will direct the observatory to fireside its thrusters for about 5 minutes, finishing the lengthy journey of almost 1 million miles (1.5 million kilometers).

NASA won’t be broadcasting the burn stay, however scientists shall be speaking about what’s subsequent for the observatory throughout a 3 p.m. EST (2000 GMT) broadcast and the company will maintain a media teleconference at 4 p.m. EST (2100 GMT) as effectively. You possibly can watch each occasions stay on Area.com.

Though arrival in orbit marks the final main milestone within the observatory’s deployment, the telescope is not fairly able to do science. The mission crew nonetheless must exactly align the 18 golden mirror segments into one huge reflector and to calibrate the observatory’s devices.

NASA has stated to count on the James Webb Area Telescope to start science operations this summer season.

James Webb Area Telescope 1 day from L2

NASA’s James Webb Area Telescope is someday away from arriving at its ultimate vacation spot for its bold science mission: a gravitationally secure level in area often known as the Earth-sun Lagrange level 2, or L2. 

As of 8 a.m. EST (1300 GMT), the Webb Area Telescope was about 17,310 miles (27,854 kilometers) away from the L2 location, and about 893,897 miles (1,438,484 km) from the Earth. The L2 location is almost 1 million miles from Earth on the other aspect of the Earth from the solar.

Webb is predicted to enter orbit across the L2 level on Monday, Jan. 24. To take action, it’s going to fireplace its thrusters at 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT) on Monday for a couple of minutes to push it the ultimate distance into L2 orbit. 

NASA is predicted to host a stay webcast of the L2 arrival insertion burn and observe it up with a NASA Science Stay program to debate the occasion at 3 p.m. EST (2000 GMT). At 4 p.m. EST (2100 GMT), NASA will maintain a press teleconference on the occasion to debate the subsequent steps for the area telescope. 

L2 on Monday

NASA’s James Webb Area Telescope is only a few days away from its arrival at its residence in area: L2, or the second Lagrange level, gravitationally secure factors in area. L2 is positioned on the aspect of Earth reverse the solar.

Whereas NASA had beforehand anticipated Webb to reach at L2 on Jan. 23, 29 days after its Dec. 25 launch,  Webb is now anticipated to start its mid-course correction burn (MCCB), or insertion burn, into an orbit round L2 on Monday (Jan. 24).

You can watch a stay broadcast with scientists and engineers working the area telescope on Monday at 3 p.m. EST (2000 GMT).

Subsequent cease, L2.

Webb’s subsequent main milestone shall be its arrival in orbit round some extent in area known as the Earth-sun Lagrange level 2, or L2. This video explains the place L2 is and why the observatory will camp out in orbit round it.

Mirror deployment is full

The 18 main mirror segments of the James Webb Area Telescope are totally deployed, in keeping with a tweet from NASA Administrator Invoice Nelson. The observatory has one deployment milestone excellent, a ultimate course correction burn. Learn extra>

Quick ahead to Webb’s first look

NASA is constant to regulate the person mirror segments of the James Webb Area Telescope because the observatory continues its trek to orbit almost 1 million miles (1.5 million kilometers) away from Earth. Within the meantime, we’re waiting for the massive second: What is going to the observatory have a look at first? Learn extra>

Time to regulate these mirrors

NASA has confirmed that the crew behind the James Webb Area Telescope have begun the method of aligning the observatory’s mirrors, which have been stowed for launch. The preliminary changes will take about 10 days, in keeping with a mission timeline, though NASA expects to spend about three months to fully align the panels right into a working telescope. Learn extra>

Onto Webb’s mirror segments

In accordance with a NASA timeline, the crew behind the James Webb Area Telescope will possible start shifting the 18 particular person segments of the observatory’s hexagonal golden mirror out of their launch configurations on Wednesday (Jan. 12).

This course of is sluggish and finicky, and is predicted to take about 10 days. Every of the 18 main mirror segments is held in place by seven totally different actuators that may regulate their place and curvature tremendous exactly. However even as soon as this course of is full, the observatory crew might want to spend about three extra months getting the honeycomb of mirrors to work collectively to provide one sharp picture.

Webb has been in area for 18 days now and is greater than 82% of the best way to its ultimate vacation spot. The observatory will orbit some extent known as the Earth-sun Lagrange level 2, or L2, which is situated almost 1 million miles (1.5 million kilometers) away from Earth on the aspect reverse the solar. The observatory has lined greater than 740,000 miles (1.2 million km) and has 160,000 miles (250,000 km) extra to go.

You possibly can observe the telescope’s location, temperature and deployment by way of NASA.

Webb retains trekking out to area

NASA has once more delayed starting work on aligning the person mirror segments of the James Webb Area Telescope, in keeping with an company timeline, with that challenge now scheduled to start Wednesday (Jan. 12). The method will take a number of days and strikes the 18 particular person hexagons of the golden main mirror out of their launch configuration.

Within the meantime, Webb continues its lengthy journey out to Earth-sun Lagrange level 2, or L2. The observatory is at present 80% of the best way to L2 and has traveled almost 725,000 miles (1.16 million kilometers) away from Earth. To observe Webb’s journey, seek the advice of NASA’s monitoring web site for the observatory, which additionally tracks the deployment course of.

Webb work continues

Changes to the 18 golden mirror segments of Webb’s main mirror are resulting from start tomorrow, Jan. 11, in keeping with the deployment timeline offered by NASA. That course of is predicted to take a number of days and marks the observatory’s transition from deployment into commissioning.

In the meantime, the observatory continues its trek out to its station orbiting Earth-sun Lagrange level 2, or L2, which is situated about 1 million miles (1.5 million kilometers) away from Earth on the aspect reverse the solar. As of as we speak (Jan. 10), the telescope is greater than 78% of the best way to orbit, having traveled greater than 700,000 miles (1.1 million km) from Earth, in keeping with NASA’s observatory tracker.

Mirror alignment to start for Webb Area Telescope

With the James Webb Area Telescope now totally deployed, work is predicted to start as we speak to begin aligning the 18 particular person mirrors that make up the observatory’s main mirror. It’s not a quick course of.

Full story: The James Webb Area Telescope is totally deployed. So what’s subsequent?

“This operation is a multi-day multi-step exercise to activate and transfer every of its 18 main mirror segments (that are adjustable) out of their launch configuration, NASA wrote in a deployment information. “The first mirror segments and secondary mirror are moved by six actuators which might be hooked up to the again of every mirror piece. The first mirror segments even have a further actuator at its heart that adjusts its curvature. The telescope’s tertiary mirror stays stationary.”

The first mirror is Webb’s primary gentle assortment floor. It can replicate gentle to the tertiary mirror situated on booms in entrance of the telescope, which then bounces the sunshine into Webb’s devices. 

Every of the 18 segments of the first mirror is plated in a shiny, however extremely skinny, layer of gold. If left in launch place, they might act as particular person telescopes with photographs that might be fuzzy and unclear. As soon as aligned, the mirror segments will act as one big mirror 21.3 ft (6.5 meters) throughout, the biggest ever in area. 

NASA has estimated that it may take as much as 120 days after launch for Webb’s mirror alignment work to be full. The primary photographs from Webb aren’t anticipated till about 5 months after launch as soon as commissioning ends. — Tariq Malik

Here is a have a look at how Webb’s focusing works: 

James Webb Area Telescope deployment success

An elated mission crew for NASA’s James Webb Area Telescope confirmed that the area observatory is in nice form after a deployment part that was 100% profitable.

“It’s a totally deployed telescope able to carry out improbable science to increase our data,” stated John Durning, Webb Deputy Undertaking Supervisor of NASA Goddard.

Up subsequent for the Webb crew is a five-month commissioning part to calibrate the telescope’s optics and regulate its mirrors. Webb is at present making its technique to its ultimate observing web site almost 1 million miles (1.6 km) from Earth and is because of arrive round Jan. 23. 

To enter orbit round its Lagrange 2 level, Webb should carry out a brief maneuver, however it’s anticipated to go effectively. 

You possibly can learn our wrap story on as we speak’s Webb mirror deployment success right here. — Tariq Malik

NASA Webb Area Telescope press convention underway

NASA’s post-deployment press convention is underway now and you may watch it stay within the video window on the prime of this web page. 

NASA is holding two panels, one on the deployment’s success and the opposite on what’s subsequent for the Webb Area Telescope. 

Here is a rundown of the audio system for the briefing:

Panel on Webb Area Telescope deployment success

Invoice Ochs, Webb Undertaking Supervisor, NASA Goddard

Mike Menzel, Mission Techniques Engineer, NASA Goddard 

Scott Willoughby, Vice President and Program Supervisor, Webb, Northrop Grumman

Vince Heeg, Deputy Program Supervisor, Northrop Grumman

Panel on what’s subsequent for James Webb Area Telescope

John Durning, Webb Deputy Undertaking Supervisor, NASA Goddard

Lee Feinberg, Webb Optical Telescope Factor Supervisor, NASA Goddard

Jane Rigby, Webb Operations Undertaking Scientist, NASA Goddard 

Heidi Hammel, Vice President for Science, Area Telescope Science Institute

Success! Webb Area Telescope main mirror latched

James Webb Area Telescope mission engineers confirmed that the observatory’s starboard main mirror wing efficiently latched into place at 1:17 p.m. EST (1817 GMT), marking an finish to a two-week course of that was NASA’s most-complicated deployment in area telescope historical past. 

Cheers erupted at Webb’s mission operations heart on the Area Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, because the mission crew now prepares for an arduous three-month course of to align and calibrate the $10 billion area telescope. 

“At present, NASA achieved one other engineering milestone many years within the making!” NASA Administrator Invoice Nelson stated on Twitter. “Whereas the journey is just not full, I be part of the Webb crew in respiratory just a little simpler and imagining the longer term breakthroughs certain to encourage the world.”

NASA will maintain a press convention at 2:30 p.m. EST (1930 GMT) for as we speak’s profitable deployment. You can watch that stay right here at begin time.

Latching underway for Webb telescope mirror

James Webb Area Telescope engineers have handed the midway mark in latching the observatory’s starboard mirror wing in place. 

The latching course of started shortly after 10:30 a.m. EST (1530 GMT) and was anticipated to take round two hours to finish.

Webb Area Telescope mirror totally deployed!

It is official, the first mirror of NASA’s James Webb Area Telescope is totally deployed, the ultimate step of its unprecedented two-week deployment part that started with a Dec. 25 launch. 

“I simply really feel this type of glow in my chest proper now simply seeing that mirror deployed all collectively,” NASA scientist Michelle Thaller stated in a stay webcast because the Webb mission crew applauded and shared high-fives. 

Webb area telescope starboard mirror in movement

The Webb Area Telescope’s mission operations crew has commanded Webb to deploy its starboard mirror wing. 

It ought to take 4 to five minutes for the mirror phase to swing into place, after which it’s going to take just a few hours to latch into place. 

Launch locks launched from Webb mirror

The 4 launch locks securing the Webb Area Telescope’s starboard mirror wing in place have efficiently been unlocked, releasing the mirror phase for its ultimate transfer.

A sequence of motors efficiently labored to unlock the launch locks. They have been the ultimate vital films of 178 mechanism firings that have been very important to go easily for Webb’s deployment over the past two weeks, NASA says. These actions have been non-redundant, if one failed it will have doomed the Webb Area Telescope. 

“178 out of 178, congratulations,” Webb’s Mission Operations Supervisor simply stated.  

The mirror phase is predicted to start slowly shifting quickly, with main motion to start in about 20 minutes. As soon as in place, it’s going to take about two hours to latch it securely in place. — Tariq Malik

Last mirror unfolding begins for Webb Area Telescope

NASA has begun unfolding the ultimate mirror wing for the James Webb Area Telescope. You possibly can watch it within the stay video feed on the prime of this web page. 

Telescope controllers are working to ship instructions that may take away the launch locks on Webb’s starboard mirror wing. At present’s mirror unfolding will swing three ultimate mirror segments into place to finish the 18-segment main mirror deployment, the ultimate step for Webb’s two-week deployment part. 

Here is a more in-depth have a look at the first mirror of James Webb Area Telescope

Webb Area Telescope ultimate deployment underway

NASA’s James Webb Area Telescope mirror deployment webcast is underway. You possibly can watch it above right here hosted by NASA scientist Michelle Thaller. 

NASA to webcast Webb ultimate mirror deployment

Replace for 9 a.m. EST: NASA’s stay webcast seems delayed. As soon as it begins, it’s going to seem on this web page.

It is a main day for the James Webb Area Telescope. Two weeks after its Dec. 25 launch, The Webb area telescope is scheduled to unfold its ultimate mirror phase as we speak, Jan. 8, as we speak.  

NASA will webcast the deployment of the Webb’s starboard main mirror phase stay, with a livestream starting no sooner than 9 a.m. EST (1400 GMT). You can watch that stay on this web page as soon as it begins. 

At present’s mirror deployment will use motors to swing Webb’s starboard main mirror wing, which consists of three mirror segments, into its ultimate place. It can then be latched into place. 

“Upon completion, Webb may have concluded its main deployment sequence,” NASA officers wrote in an replace on Friday after Webb’s port mirror wing was deployed.

After as we speak’s mirror deployment, NASA will maintain a press convention to start no sooner than 1:30 p.m. EST ( 1730 GMT). — Tariq Malik

Stay webcast delayed to Saturday

The Digital Telescope Undertaking’s stay webcast of the James Webb Area Telescope in deep area has been postponed till Saturday (Jan. 8), as a result of clouds above the observatory Italy didn’t clear up in time to see it as we speak. The webcast is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. EST (2130 GMT). 

The climate forecast for Saturday’s commentary seems extra promising, Gianluca Masi of the Digital Telescope Undertaking informed Area.com in an e mail. 

Digital Telescope Undertaking JWST webcast delayed

Astrophysicist Gianluca Masi of the Digital Telescope Undertaking close to Rome, Italy will broadcast stay views of the distant James Webb Area Telescope as we speak, starting at 5:30 p.m. EST (2230 GMT). The webcast was initially scheduled to start an hour earlier, however clouds are at present blocking the view. 

You possibly can tune in stay within the window above, courtesy of the Digital Telescope Undertaking.

Learn extra: Watch the James Webb Area Telescope soar by area on this livestream as we speak!

1st mirror wing deployed

The James Webb Area Telescope unfolded the primary of two wing segments on its hexagonal gold-coated main mirror on Friday (Jan. 7). NASA obtained affirmation of the profitable deployment at roughly 2:11 p.m. EST (1911 GMT), company officers wrote in a weblog publish.  

Full story: James Webb Area Telescope has unfolded 1st wing of huge golden mirror

Webb’s primary mirror deployment has begun!

The James Webb Area Telescope has begun unfolding the left aspect panel of its golden main mirror, in keeping with a NASA assertion printed simply earlier than 9:30 a.m. EST (1430 GMT). The panel holds three of the hexagonal mirror segments the observatory makes use of to catch gentle.

Throughout the deployment, crew members will unlatch the wing from its saved place, then motors will unfold the panel in a course of anticipated to take about 5 minutes. Then, the crew will spend about two hours latching the panel into place, in keeping with the assertion.

The crew is predicted to repeat the method tomorrow (Jan. 8) on the fitting aspect of the observatory, which is able to mark the final main unfolding from the spacecraft’s launch place. That occasion shall be livestreamed starting round 9 a.m. EST (1400 GMT), NASA has acknowledged.

Webb primary mirror deployment begins as we speak

The James Webb Area Telescope will start its ultimate main unfolding occasions as we speak with the primary of two main mirror deployments. 

At present, Webb is predicted to unfold and safe its port main mirror wing, which incorporates three of the area telescope’s 18 hexagon-shaped mirror segments. 

“Webb’s ultimate sequence of main deployments is deliberate to begin tomorrow, Jan. 7, with the rotation into place of the primary of two main mirror wings,” NASA wrote in an replace on Jan. 6. “The second main mirror wing – Webb’s ultimate main spacecraft deployment – is deliberate for Saturday, Jan. 8.”

Webb’s two main mirror wings, port and starboard, every have three mirror segments. They have been folded again behind the central mirror face throughout launch in an effort to match contained in the payload fairing of Webb’s Ariane 5 rocket. 

In different Webb information, the European Area Company launched a surprising HD video of the James Webb Area Telescope captured simply after it separated from its Ariane 5 rocket. You possibly can watch that video of Webb right here. It’s the final view of the area telescope we’ll ever see.

Why is it the final view? The James Webb Area Telescope does not have onboard cameras. 

Webb Mirror deployment webcast replace

That is an replace to notice that NASA’s webcast of the James Webb Area Telescope’s mirror deployment will really happen on Saturday, Jan. 8, at a time nonetheless to be decided based mostly on NASA’s newest stay broadcast schedule. 

Webb’s flight controllers plan to deploy the the telescope’s aft radiator as quickly as as we speak earlier than continuing with the port and starboard mirror deployments on Friday and Saturday. Sorry for any confusion, area followers! — Tariq Malik

James Webb Area Telescope to deploy port mirror wing

The James Webb Area Telescope is predicted to start unfolding its main mirror as we speak, Jan. 6, beginning with the port aspect. 

In what could possibly be a two-day course of, Webb will unfold first the port aspect after which the starboard aspect wings of its 18-segment main mirror, which is made up of shiny gold hexagons. There are three mirror segments on every wing. 

Every of the wings have been folded for launch in an effort to match contained in the payload fairing of Webb’s Ariane 5 rocket. 

Whereas the mirror unfolding course of is scheduled to take two days, it may happen quicker. Webb’s mission operations crew has been operating forward of schedule for a number of key steps. 

NASA will webcast as we speak’s Webb mirror deployment on NASA TV. A time has not been launched for the webcast’s begin. As soon as now we have extra info, we’ll share that right here. — Tariq Malik

James Webb Area Telescope secondary mirror latched securely

The secondary mirror of NASA’s James Webb Area Telescope is now securely latched into place, marking a profitable finish to as we speak’s deployment step. NASA’s webcast has ended. You possibly can learn our full story by senior author Tereza Pultarova right here.

Deploying the mirror is the most recent vital step for the Webb area telescope. The secondary mirror will focus gentle from the primary mirror into the observatory’s optics. 

Over the subsequent few days, Webb will deploy its aft radiator, adopted by folding out the 2 aspect segments, or wings, of its primary mirror. These steps will mark the ultimate main deployment levels of the telescope. 

Engineers will nonetheless have to maneuver every of the 18 main mirror segments out of their launch configuration in order that they are often calibrated for observations. As soon as that’s full (slated for 15 days after launch), the subsequent main step shall be Webb’s arrival into orbit round its L2 level.

Webb area telescope secondary mirror deployed

NASA studies that the secondary mirror of the James Webb Area Telescope has efficiently unfolded and is now in place. 

Mission operations controllers at the moment are working to drive latches into place to safe the mirror in its deployed configuration. Here is a glance of how the operation went:

NASA Webb mirror deployment webcast begins

NASA’s stay webcast of the James Webb Area Telescope’s secondary mirror deployment has begun! You possibly can watch stay within the window above.

NASA to Webbcast secondary tescope mirror deployment

Replace: NASA’s webcast will now start at 10:20 a.m. EST (1520 GMT). 

NASA’s James Webb Area Telescope will deploy its secondary mirror as we speak and you’ll observe the milestone stay in a webcast as we speak starting at 10:20 a.m. EST (1520 GMT). 

Throughout this step, Webb will unfold a sequence of booms that maintain the secondary mirror out in entrance of the observatory’s primary multi-segmented mirror. You can watch the stay webcast on this web page as soon as it begins, and you may watch it immediately from NASA right here.

“Webb’s secondary mirror is on the finish of the Secondary Mirror Assist Construction (SMSS),” NASA wrote in a deployment description. “As it’s deployed, its lengthy booms will swing the secondary mirror out in entrance of the first mirror. The secondary mirror performs an vital position in reflecting the sunshine from the first mirror to the place the devices sit, behind the first mirror.”

On Monday, Webb accomplished its enormous sunshield deployment. Here is a have a look at what’s forward this week for the James Webb Area Telescope this week.

Hearken to NASA’s sunshield briefing

At present’s stay broadcast of the Webb telescope sunshield and deployments media teleconference didn’t air stay on NASA TV because the company stated it will — however now you can hearken to a recording of the briefing on YouTube. 

NASA briefing coming quickly…

NASA officers will maintain a media teleconference at 12:45 p.m EST (1745 GMT) as we speak to debate the lately accomplished deployment of the James Webb Area Telescope’s sunshield and go over subsequent steps for the observatory. 

You possibly can hearken to the teleconference stay within the window above, courtesy of NASA TV, or immediately by way of nasa.gov/stay.

James Webb Area Telescope sunshield tensioning full!

NASA has simply confirmed that the fifth and ultimate layer of the James Webb Area Telescope’s warmth defend has been efficiently tensioned, marking the tip of the sunshield deployment work that started final week.

“That is an historic day,” NASA scientist Michelle Thaller stated throughout a stay webcast. “The primary main part of the deployment of the sunshield has been compete.”

Our wrap story on the occasion shall be posted shortly.

NASA webcast for Webb sunshield tensioning

Replace: NASA’s Webb sunshield tensioning webcast is underneath manner. Watch stay above for the vital milestone for the James Webb Area Telescope.

It is Day 2 of sunshield tensioning for NASA’s James Webb Area Telescope and the area company will webcast stay views from Webb’s mission operations heart in Baltimore, Maryland as we speak beginning at 9:30 a.m. EST (1430 GMT). You can watch that stay right here within the window above at begin time.

NASA didn’t state how lengthy the webcast will final, however the company does have one other occasion scheduled for 11:25 a.m. EST from the Worldwide Area Station, so it possible will not final past that. 

Webb’s sunshield tightening is the ultimate step within the intricate unfurling of the area telescope’s tennis court-sized defend to guard it from daylight and hold it cool sufficient for science. It includes utilizing a sequence of motors to place and tighten the 5 ultra-thin layers of Webb’s reflective sunshield. 

The method started on Monday, Jan. 3, with Layer 1 tightening and was anticipated to finish as quickly as Wednesday, Jan. 5. Nonetheless, NASA is manner forward of schedule. As of late Monday, three of the 5 sunshield layers have been efficiently tightened, the company stated in an replace on Twitter.

Webb area telescope in good well being, tensioning starting

NASA’s James Webb Area Telescope is in good well being and can start tensioning its enormous sunshield as we speak, its mission crew stated as we speak. 

In a media teleconference, NASA officers stated Webb will start tightening the stress on the first layer of the five-layer sunshield on Webb as we speak after two days of relaxation and energy system optimization. 

Two points occurred over the New 12 months’s Day vacation weekend.

First, Webb’s photo voltaic arrays weren’t producing as a lot energy as they may resulting from their manufacturing facility settings. At no level was the area telescope in want of energy, however NASA rebalanced the arrays in order that they’ll now work at their peak effectivity. 

Second, the motors used to stress Webb’s sunshield weren’t staying cool sufficient as flight controllers most popular. They commanded Webb to alter its orientation in area in a manner that may hold its motors cooler through the deployment part. 

With each of these fixes in, Webb seems to be doing effectively in its deployment. 

The tensioning course of for Webb’s sunshield ought to take a minimum of three days, NASA officers stated.

NASA to carry press convention on Webb deployment

NASA will maintain a media teleconference at 11:30 a.m. EST (1630 GMT) as we speak, Jan. 3, and you may hearken to it stay right here, courtesy of NASA TV. You may also watch immediately from NASA right here.

This teleconference will replace the general public on the James Webb Area Telescope’s deployment after its sunshield was deployed on Dec. 31. 

NASA paused deployment actions on Saturday, Jan. 1, to present its crew a relaxation. The crew then spent Sunday finding out Webb’s energy methods earlier than continuing with the ultimate steps for sunshield deployment.

James Webb Area Telescope stress may start as we speak

After a day of delay, NASA James Webb Area Telescope flight controllers are anticipated to start the sunshield tightening course of on the brand new area observatory as we speak, Jan. 3. 

The method, which may take a minimum of two days, was initially slated to start yesterday, however NASA opted to face down and as a substitute examine Webb’s energy methods to verify they have been working correctly after every week in area. 

The sunshield tightening course of includes activating a sequence of motors on Webb that may separate, after which tighten, the 5 layers of the area telescope’s gossamer sunshield, which is blocks out daylight from the infrared observatory’s delicate devices so it may well higher examine the universe.  — Tariq Malik

NASA delays Webb sunshield tensioning

NASA flight controllers have delayed as we speak’s deliberate tensioning of the James Webb Area Telescope’s sunshield in an effort to work on the observatory’s energy methods. 

“This may guarantee Webb is in prime situation to start the subsequent main deployment step in its unfolding course of,” NASA officers wrote in an replace as we speak (Jan. 2). 

Learn our full story by Senior Author Meghan Bartels.

The sunshield tensioning course of will now start no sooner than Monday, Jan. 3, and is predicted to take a minimum of two days. Flight controllers made the choice earlier as we speak in an effort to optimize the ability methods on the Webb area telescope.

“Particularly, the crew is analyzing how the ability subsystem is working now that a number of of the key deployments have been accomplished,” NASA wrote within the replace. “Concurrently, the deployments crew is working to verify motors which might be key to the tensioning course of are on the optimum temperatures previous to starting that operation.”

Webb’s step-by-step deployment course of is designed in such a manner that it may be stopped and began alongside the best way as required, in keeping with NASA officers. The flight management crew needs to make use of some additional time to raised perceive how Webb is behaving in area, and the way it’s differing from simulations based mostly on laptop testing on the bottom.

“Nothing we are able to study from simulations on the bottom is pretty much as good as analyzing the observatory when it’s up and operating,” stated Invoice Ochs, NASA’s Webb challenge supervisor on the Goddard Area Flight Middle in Greenbelt, Maryland, stated within the replace. “Now could be the time to take the chance to study every thing we are able to about its baseline operations. Then we’ll take the subsequent steps.” — Tariq Malik

Webb ratchets up the stress as we speak

It is time to elevate the stress on NASA’s James Webb Area Telescope. 

After taking New 12 months’s Time without work on Saturday to relaxation up after an extended Friday night time unfolding Webb’s huge sunshield, the mission crew goals to start tensioning the defend’s 5 layers as we speak to lock them in place. 

It ought to take a minimum of two full days to lock Webb’s sunshield in place, which marks the ultimate step in its weeklong deployment course of. The method includes Webb separating the 5 layers of its sunshield, which unfolded in a single group after which tensioning them so they’re tightly secured for the area telescope’s lifetime. 

NASA expects to finish the sunshield tightening step on Monday, Jan. 3, and can then maintain a press teleconference to replace the general public on the area telescope’s standing. – Tariq Malik

Taking a relaxation day

The crew overseeing the deployment of the James Webb Area Telescope are taking as we speak (Jan. 1) off, in keeping with a NASA assertion. Yesterday’s process, deploying the 2 booms that help the width of the observatory’s huge sunshield, ran later into the day than personnel had hoped. And the subsequent step is much more daunting: a two-day means of separating the 5 delicate layers of the huge sunshield.

That work will start tomorrow (Jan. 2), the assertion famous, and is predicted to take two days to finish. Learn extra>

James Webb unfurls its sunshield!

The James Webb Area Telescope efficiently unfurled its huge sunshield on Friday (Dec. 31), notching an enormous milestone in its lengthy and sophisticated deployment marketing campaign. Learn our full story about it right here.

The sunshield, which is able to assist hold Webb’s optics and devices cool sufficient to detect faint warmth alerts from the early universe, unfolded by way of two “mid-booms,” which have been prolonged over two roughly three-hour stretches on Friday.

The growth extension actions have been delayed barely whereas Webb crew members checked to verify the sunshield’s protecting cowl had totally rolled up as wanted. However every thing labored out simply effective.

“At present is an instance of why we proceed to say that we don’t suppose our deployment schedule may change, however that we count on it to alter,” Keith Parrish, Webb observatory supervisor at NASA’s Goddard Area Flight Middle in Greenbelt, Maryland, stated in a weblog publish replace Friday night time.

“The crew did what we had rehearsed for this type of scenario — cease, assess and transfer ahead methodically with a plan,” Parrish stated. “We nonetheless have an extended technique to go together with this complete deployment course of.”

Subsequent up is tensioning of the sunshield’s 5 layers, which could possibly be full as early as Sunday (Jan. 2). After that, the Webb crew will shift their focus to reflect deployment.

Sunshield midway unfurled!

The James Webb Area Telescope has efficiently deployed its sunshield port mid-boom, unfurling half of the large membranous construction.

“The deployment of the 5 telescoping segments of the mid-boom started round 1:30pm ET and reached full deployment at 4:49 pm,” mission crew members stated by way of Twitter as we speak (Dec. 31). “Webb’s deployment steps are all human-controlled, so the schedule can change. The crew plans to deploy the starboard mid-boom tonight.”

There was certainly a schedule change as we speak: The mid-boom deployments have been imagined to occur earlier, however Webb’s handlers took additional time to verify the sunshield’s protecting cowl had totally rolled up as deliberate, mission crew members defined in one other tweet.  

Sunshield deployment is without doubt one of the riskiest, most advanced actions the $10 billion observatory will carry out throughout its time in area. So hold your fingers crossed that every thing goes effectively tonight and over the weekend, when the crew plans to convey the deployed defend’s layers as much as the right stress.

James Webb Area Telescope to deploy sunshield booms

It is a huge day for the James Webb Area Telescope. 

At present is the day the large area observatory will deploy the 2 mid-booms on it port and starboard aspect that may prolong its sunshield out to its full width. The port growth shall be prolonged first, adopted by the starboard growth. Motors will drive each occasions. 

Every mid-boom will deploy with its 5 sunshield membrane layers hooked up. If it goes easily, Webb will spend the subsequent two days tightening the stress of the sunshield so it isn’t unfastened. 

Questioning why it takes so many steps to deploy Webb’s sunshield? Our Senior Author Mike Wall has the total story right here as we speak.

Webb deploys flab, removes sunshield covers

NASA’s James Webb Area Telescope efficiently accomplished its two vital deployments for as we speak, the area company introduced. 

In back-to-back updates, NASA officers confirmed that the Webb area telescope efficiently deployed its aft momentum flap and retracted the protecting membrane covers on its gossamer sunshield, a serious step within the weeklong work to unfurl the defend. 

Learn the total story from Senior Author Chelsea Gohd right here.

The membrane covers protected Webb’s sunshield, which shall be as giant as a tennis court docket when deployed, throughout launch. You possibly can see an animation of how the quilt retraction went in area above. 

Here is a close-up graphic beneath of the aft momentum flap, which is designed to regular Webb in opposition to the push of photo voltaic wind in opposition to its enormous sunshield. — Tariq Malik

2 deployment steps for Webb telescope as we speak

It has been 5 days since NASA’s James Webb Area Telescope launched into area on the observatory has two steps deliberate for as we speak to proceed its ultra-complicated deployment. 

At present, Webb is predicted to unfold a aft momentum flap, a three-panel construction on the backside rear of the telescope designed to offset among the strain from the photo voltaic wind on Webb’s huge sunshield. The flap ought to assist Webb preserve gas throughout its mission life because it limits the additional push on the telescope from the photo voltaic wind.

Later, Webb is predicted to retract the sunshield membrane covers which were defending its skinny sunshield layers since launch. The step would require a sequence of launch gadgets to be activated that may then retract and roll up the membrane covers (two per sunshield pallet, fore and aft) to uncover the sunshield itself. 

When deployed, the five-layer sunshield shall be concerning the measurement of a tennis court docket. However there are 50 distinct steps to get it into place.

You possibly can discover precisely how Webb is unfolding at NASA’s Deployment Explorer web site right here. — Tariq Malik

JWST extends its Deployable Tower Meeting

The James Webb Area Telescope has efficiently accomplished the deployment of the tower meeting that separates the 2 primary halves of the spacecraft. 

The observatory’s Deployable Tower Meeting took just a little over 6.5 hours to increase, creating about 4 ft (1.2 meters) of area between the mirror meeting and the spacecraft’s bus, which homes its electronics and propulsion methods, NASA officers stated in a press release.

“This creates sufficient distance to permit the delicate mirrors and devices to chill all the way down to the required temperatures to detect infrared gentle,” NASA stated within the assertion. “This hole can even present room for the sunshield membranes to totally unfold.”

Learn the total story right here