The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is the premier space science observatory designed to solve the mysteries of our solar system, look beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probe the enigmatic structures and origins of our universe. As the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, JWST is an international collaboration led by NASA with its partners, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
Core Science Goals
JWST is specifically engineered with four key science areas in mind:
- First Light and Reionization: Searching for the very first stars and galaxies that formed after the Big Bang.
- Assembly of Galaxies: Understanding how galaxies formed and evolved from the early universe to the present day.
- The Birth of Stars and Protoplanetary Systems: Observing the formation of stars and planetary systems within dust clouds that are opaque to visible light.
- Planets and Origins of Life: Studying exoplanets and objects within our own solar system to assess their potential for supporting life.
Key Technical Specifications
JWST uses powerful infrared technology to see through cosmic dust and observe the extremely redshifted light from the early universe.
|
Component |
Detail |
|---|---|
|
Primary Mirror Diameter |
6.5 meters (21.3 feet) |
|
Mirror Composition |
18 hexagonal, gold-coated beryllium segments |
|
Operating Wavelength |
Infrared (0.6 to 28.5 micrometers) |
|
Sunshield Size |
Five layers, approximately 21 m x 14 m |
|
Orbit Location |
L2 Lagrange Point, Place |
Instrument Suite
The telescope carries four state-of-the-art scientific instruments, each playing a critical role in data collection and analysis:
- Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam): Primary imager with a field of view covering near-infrared wavelengths.
- Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec): Capable of observing 100 objects simultaneously, making it ideal for deep field surveys.
- Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI): Provides imaging and spectroscopy in the mid-infrared range, crucial for observing obscured objects.
- Fine Guidance Sensor/Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (FGS/NIRISS): Used for precise pointing and specialized exoplanet and first light science.