NASA's James Webb Space Telescope
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will be the largest and most powerful space telescope ever created when it launches in 2018, and it has the potential to completely change our understanding of the universe. Unlike previous telescopes, which were only able to see light from certain regions of the spectrum, JWST will be able to see infrared light from as far back as 13 billion years ago, which means we’ll finally be able to observe what the universe was like in its earliest days, before there were any stars or galaxies in existence yet!
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The JWST will reveal new details about our universe
The JWST will be able to peer back in time to see some of the very first galaxies that formed. It will also provide new insights into how stars and planets form. Additionally, the JWST will be able to study dark matter and dark energy, which are two of the most mysterious components of our universe. Finally, the JWST will help us better understand our place in the universe and whether or not we are alone. All of these discoveries make the JWST one of NASA's most important missions yet.
Why is it so hard to send a mirror into space?
The primary mirror of the James Webb Space Telescope is made up of 18 hexagonal beryllium segments that work together as one. It's huge—21.3 feet (6.5 meters) across—and needs to be extremely lightweight and stiff. Beryllium meets those requirements, but it's also fragile and difficult to work with. So why use it? Because beryllium mirrors can capture more light than any other material, which is key for studying some of the universe's oldest and most distant objects. Plus, beryllium's stiffness makes it easier to keep the mirror in alignment as it changes temperature in space.
The JWST will keep getting better over time
The JWST will allow scientists to peer back in time to see the very first stars and galaxies that formed in the universe. It will also help us better understand how our own solar system came to be. Additionally, the JWST will be able to observe exoplanets in unprecedented detail, which could lead to the discovery of new worlds. The telescope is also designed to study dark matter and dark energy, two of the most mysterious phenomena in astrophysics. Finally, the JWST will provide an invaluable tool for future space missions.
What can we expect to see?
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is NASA's next big space observatory. Launching in 2021, it will be the largest and most powerful telescope ever sent into space. JWST will allow us to see farther and deeper into space than any other telescope before it.
The JWST will help us discover if we are alone in the universe
The search for extraterrestrial life is one of humanity's most important quests. The JWST will give us a better chance than ever before to find out if we are alone in the universe. With its powerful infrared capabilities, the JWST will be able to detect planets around other stars and look for signs of life. This mission is so important because it could change everything we know about our place in the cosmos. Finding out that we are not alone would be an incredible discovery, and finding out that we are would be equally as momentous. Either way, the JWST is sure to provide us with answers to some of our biggest questions about life in the universe.