The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), launched on December 25, 2021, is poised to revolutionize our understanding of the universe. Costing over $10 billion and taking nearly 20 years to build, the JWST is the largest and most powerful space telescope ever made.
One of the key features of the JWST is its primary mirror, which is 6.5 meters across, significantly larger than Hubble’s 2.4-meter mirror. This allows the JWST to capture six times more light, enabling it to see deeper into space than ever before.
Unlike the Hubble Space Telescope, which focuses on visible and ultraviolet light, the JWST specializes in capturing infrared light. This enables it to see through cosmic dust clouds and look back in time to the earliest galaxies formed after the Big Bang.
In fact, the JWST has already observed the earliest galaxy dated to just 320 million years after the Big Bang, providing valuable insights into the universe’s early history. Its capabilities far exceed those of the Hubble, allowing for clearer images of galaxies and a deeper exploration of the cosmos.
With its groundbreaking technology and unprecedented capabilities, the JWST is set to challenge the standard cosmological model and potentially rewrite it. Scientists and astronomers are eagerly awaiting the wealth of data and discoveries that the JWST will undoubtedly bring, shedding new light on the mysteries of our vast universe.
“Prone to fits of apathy. Devoted music geek. Troublemaker. Typical analyst. Alcohol practitioner. Food junkie. Passionate tv fan. Web expert.”