NASA will finally publish the first scientific images of the JWST on June 12; the start of a scientific adventure that already promises to be grandiose from all points of view.
We are almost there. After an interminable wait, the James Webb Space Telescope got down to business; he finally captured his first images which will be used in scientific work.
It is the culmination of a long process of preparation. It took years of construction and an incredible amount of testing to get there. After a launch under very high voltage six months ago, NASA then took its time to unfold and then meticulously calibrate all the instruments of the machine, starting with its famous hexagonal mirrors.
A battery of extremely demanding and time-consuming tests that kept the public spellbound. But they were nevertheless indispensable; after all, there is no question of mortgaging the future of this superb machine with several billions by simple haste.
Well it took them. Because since the JWST came out of its torpor, all the scientists who have been able to access the data have been unanimous: the machine is simply phenomenally precise, exceeding even the craziest expectations of astronomers. Everyone therefore holds their breath while waiting for the official curtain to rise.
The first one “true” science image arrives june 12
Note that in absolute terms, these are not the first images captured by the telescope. He has already taken a number of them, so far they have all been used in the calibration process. They were therefore not strictly speaking “scientific” images; because they were produced in order to check the alignment of the mirrors and the proper functioning of the instruments (see our article). The objective was therefore not to answer a specific question in the context of a study published later.
On the other hand, it is indeed the goal pursued by NASA with these new shots. For now, she still keeps them out of sight, but it’s only a matter of days now. The agency has indeed announced that it will reveal these images to the general public on next Sunday, June 12. A perspective that is already making all professional astronomers and enthusiasts impatient.
“Our goal with the first images and data from the Webb is to show what the telescope’s powerful instruments are capable of and give a taste of the science mission ahead.”, explains Klaus Pontoppidan, one of the team leaders in charge of the JWST. “These images will undoubtedly cause the long-awaited “Wow” for astronomers and the publicHe rejoices.
The beginning of a new era for astronomy
And that’s not an understatement. Because the JWST is not an observatory like the others, it is quite simply the most advanced telescope ever built, without the slightest possible dispute. It is a gigantic pile of cutting-edge technology designed to push the limits of space observation. In particular, he will be responsible for taking portraits of the very first galaxies, which date back to the origins of our universe.
“The first images will highlight the scientific themes that inspired the mission and will be the focus of its work: the early universe, the evolution of galaxies through time, the life cycle of stars and other worlds”, explains NASA. It will thus be used for lots of revolutionary work at the forefront of research, for example on the side of the ESO.
As a reminder, the astronomers of this prestigious institution recently distinguished themselves by capturing the very first image of Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole of the Milky Way (see our article). And they’ve already set aside observation time to return to portrait him using the JWST. And it’s not about just an isolated example among all the groundbreaking work that the telescope will enable.
The publication of these photos will therefore formalize the start of a long adventure which will bring us considerably closer to the origins of our universe; what to open a whole new chapter in astronomy, and even science in general. So we give you see you next June 12 for this announcement which should literally put new stars in the eyes of all space enthusiasts.