James Webb Space Telescope: 5 Shocking Facts

Here’s what you need to know about the world’s largest and most powerful space telescope right now

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), an infrared space observatory that will orbit one million miles away from earth, was launched last December 25. On January 7, the team began to deploy the first of its two primary mirror wings. NASA confirmed that soon the team behind the JWST fully deployed its 21-foot, gold-coated primary mirror only a couple of days after.

The successful deployment alone is a historic feat for the team, NASA, and the whole world, as it is “the first time a NASA-led mission has ever attempted to complete a complex sequence to unfold an observatory in space,” says Webb program director at NASA Headquarters Gregory L Robinson.

Apart from this, there are various other interesting details about the JWST that excites us:

1. Larger than the Hubble Space Telescope

Above Photo: GSFC / NASA

The Hubble Space telescope is more than a decade old. It has a total of two mirrors which is used to gather light. The JWST, however, has 18 mirrors—with a primary mirror sized at approximately 6.5 metres diametre—which means that it has more collecting area.

2. Answer to the universe’s questions

Above Photo: Adriana Manrique Gutierrez

There are various mysteries we have yet to discover about the vast space beyond Earth. But since the telescope uses infrared light, scientists will be able to see through clouds of dust and find out how planetary systems are born which the Hubble Space Telescope could not spot.

We will finally see first galaxies born after the theorised Big Bang.

3. Mirrors coated with gold

Above Photo: Northrop Grumman / NASA

All 18 hexagonal mirrors of the JWST is made of beryllium as it can operate (and change shape in consistent ways) even at different temperatures. It is also coated with 48.25 grams of gold which is approximately equal to the mass of a golf ball.

4. Almost had a different name

Above NASA Administrator James E Webb. (Photo: NASA / Wikimedia Commons)

The Webb telescope was almost called the “Next Generation Space Telescope” by people worldwide until it was renamed in September 2002. The JWST is named after James E Webb, former US undersecretary of state from 1949 to 1952 and was the second appointed administrator of NASA during the Sixties.

“Thanks to [Webb’s] efforts, we got our first glimpses at the dramatic landscape of outer space. He took our nation on its first voyages of exploration, turning our imagination into reality. Indeed, he laid the foundations at NASA for one of the most successful periods of astronomical discovery,” says NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe.

5. JWST can detect water

A burst of colour lights the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico off the Yucatan Peninsula. (Photo: NASA Earth Observatory / Wikimedia Commons)

Above A burst of colour lights the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico off the Yucatan Peninsula. (Photo: NASA Earth Observatory / Wikimedia Commons)

We might have a greater chance of detecting water on other planets. The molecules absorb light in a certain way that lets experts know when water is present, eventually leading us towards a planet with Earth-like features.

Recently, the team behind the JWST has turned on its cameras to take a look at its first star called the HD 84406 which is part of the Great Bear, a constellation of the northern sky that is also known as Ursa Major. The camera will be taking a total of 18 blurry images, however, a sharp image will be rendered at the end. Soon, the JWST will be providing answers to our greatest questions about space.

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Tatler Asia

5 Reasons Everyone's Excited About the James Webb Space Telescope

1. Larger than the Hubble Space Telescope

2. Answer to the universe’s questions

3. Mirrors coated with gold

4. Almost had a different name

5. JWST can detect water