Overview
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is an infrared space telescope named after James E. Webb, who was the administrator of NASA from the years 1961-1968. Using its infrared technology, the $10 billion dollar observatory can view things that are further and more faint than its predecessor, the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), and is able to take more unique photos due to the different wavelengths. The James Webb Telescope was launched into space in December 2021, from the French Guiana on a European Space Agency (ESA) rocket.
Statistics & Key Information
​Cost | $10 Billion |
Launch Date | December 25, 2021 |
Launch Site | The Guinea Space Center |
Payload Mass | 6200 grams |
Diameter of Mirror | 6.5 meters (21.3 feet) |
Focal Length | 131.4 meters (431 feet) |
Orbit | 1,500,000 kilometers from Earth |
Background
In 1989, the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) and NASA hosted a workshop called the Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST). It discussed the possibilities of another telescope after the Hubble. After launching the Hubble Space Telescope in 1990, scientists encountered a glaring issue; The images that the HST produced were not able to achieve a sharp focus and high image quality. This resulted in many believing that they needed a new and better telescope, which led to the formation of the HST & Beyond Committee, which was formed in 1993. Over the next 3 years, the 18-member committee suggested NASA develop a space telescope with the technology to view space in infrared light, which would allow scientists and astronomers to view farther out into space and time. In 1997, NASA appointed 3 groups to work together to explore and estimate the financial and technical necessities of the design.
Early 2000s
The construction of the JWST officially began in 2004. The year after, a spaceport in French Guiana was chosen to be the launch site, and an Ariane 5 rocket was chosen as the launch vehicle. Finally after over 10 years of construction, the James Webb Space Telescope was fully assembled and tested in 2019.
Recently
The James Webb Space Telescope launched into space on December 25, 2021. The observatory took 30 days to reach the L2 Lagrange point and traveled roughly 1.5 million kilometers. It is located near the earth on the opposite side of the sun and stays in line with the earth as it revolves. On July 12, there will be an image release event from the JWST that will take place at 10:30 AM. They are also going to release extra images the day after on July 13.
Timeline (1989 - 2006)
Hubble Vs James Webb
Hubble Space Telescope (HST) | James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) |
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