The most sophisticated telescope humans have ever built is finally fully aligned. After a long process of several months, James Webb finally completed the seventh and final stage of his lineup. Next is instrument calibration, after which the telescope is ready to start science operations.
“It’s full of stars!” ✨
This mosaic represents a sparkling turning point as we #UnfoldTheUniverse. #NASAWebb’s mirrors are now fully aligned! Next is instrument calibration, the final phase before Webb is ready for science: https://t.co/PcAxajyMfI
What do we see here? ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/qzdZRbsgRF
— NASA Webb Telescope (@NASAWebb) April 28, 2022
“After completing the seventh and final stage of telescope alignment, the team held a series of meetings to make key decisions and unanimously agreed that Webb is ready to move on to its next and final series of preparations, known as commissioning. scientific instruments. This process will take about two months before science operations begin in the summer.” NASA said in a statement.
Webb confirmed that the alignment has gone perfectly well, capturing sharp, well-focused images with each of its four powerful onboard science instruments. The next phase will take approximately 2 months, allowing observations to start within the planned time, in the middle of the year.
The fact that the new telescope is “fully aligned” means that Webb’s mirrors now direct fully focused light collected from space toward each instrument. And so he has shown, each instrument is successfully capturing images with the light that reaches them. In the mosaic below, each image is a demonstration of one of Webb’s instruments being fully aligned with the telescope and in focus.
(Credit: NASA/STScI).
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(Credit: NASA/STScI).
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“These remarkable test images from a successfully aligned telescope demonstrate what people in all countries and continents can achieve when there is a bold scientific vision to explore the universe,” said Lee FeinbergWebb Optical Telescope Element Manager at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
It is worth emphasizing that although alignment of the telescope has been completed, some calibration activities remain. Webb’s team says, “As part of the science instrument startup, the telescope will be commanded to point to different areas of the sky where the total amount of solar radiation striking the observatory will vary to confirm thermal stability at change target. In addition, ongoing maintenance observations every other day will monitor the alignment of the mirrors and, when necessary, apply corrections to keep the mirrors in their aligned places.
Each instrument is a highly sophisticated set of detectors equipped with unique lenses, masks, filters, and custom equipment that help it perform the science it was designed to do. The specialized features of these instruments will be configured and operated in various combinations during the commissioning phase of the instruments to fully confirm their readiness for science, explains NASA.
“These images have profoundly changed my way of seeing the universe. We are surrounded by a symphony of creation; there are galaxies everywhere! I hope everyone can see them.” Scott Acton saidWebb Wavefront Detection and Control Scientist, Ball Aerospace.
James Webb is currently orbiting Lagrange point 2 (L2), 1.5 million kilometers from Earth in the direction away from the Sun. Its sophisticated technology and field of view (infrared) will allow it during its scientific observations to capture the light that has been traveling through space since 13.5 billion years ago, when the first stars and galaxies formed. Every wait will be totally worth it.
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