Science and exploration
6/1/2022 3978 views 83 likes
NASA / ESA / CSA’s James Webb Space Telescope will release its first full-color images and spectroscopic data on July 12, 2022.
As the largest and most complex observatory ever launched into space, Webb has gone through a six-month preparation period before it can begin scientific work, calibrating its instruments to its space environment and aligning its mirrors. This careful process, not to mention years of new technology development and mission planning, has accumulated to the first images and data: a demonstration of Webb in all its power, ready to begin its mission. scientific and deploy the infrared universe.
“This first launch will be a remarkable moment for the mission, which will give us a first glimpse of how Webb will transform our vision of the Universe,” said Chris Evans, a scientist at ESA’s Webb project. “We look forward to sharing the experience of seeing these first images and spectra with audiences across Europe.”
Webb in full focus
Backstage: Creating the first Webb images
“As we approach the end of the observatory’s preparation for science, we are on the brink of an incredibly exciting period of discovery about our universe. The launch of Webb’s first full-color images will provide a moment only because we all stop and marvel at a sight that humanity has never seen before, “said Eric Smith, a Webb program scientist at NASA’s Washington headquarters. “These images will be the culmination of decades of dedication, talent and dreams, but they will also be just the beginning.”
Deciding what Webb should look at first has been an ongoing five-year project by an international partnership between NASA, ESA, the Canadian Space Agency and the Space Telescope Science Institute. (STScI) in Baltimore, USA, Webb’s Science and Mission Operations Headquarters.
“Our goals for Webb’s first images and data are to show the telescope’s powerful instruments and predict the upcoming scientific mission,” said astronomer Klaus Pontoppidan, a Webb project scientist at STScI. “They’re sure to deliver a much-anticipated ‘wow’ for astronomers and the public.”
Once each of Webb’s instruments has been calibrated, tested, and given the green light by his science and engineering teams, the first spectroscopic images and observations will be made. The team will proceed through a list of goals that have been pre-selected and prioritized by an international committee to exercise Webb’s powerful capabilities. The production team will then receive the data from Webb’s instrument scientists and process it into images for astronomers and the public.
“I feel very privileged to be a part of it,” said Alyssa Pagan, developer of science visuals at STScI. “Normally, the process from the raw data of the telescope to the final, clean image that communicates scientific information about the Universe can take from weeks to a month,” Pagan said.
Webb reaches the goal of alignment: image of the focused star
What will we see?
Although careful planning of Webb’s first full-color images has long been carried out, the new telescope is so powerful that it is difficult to predict exactly how the first images will look.
“Of course, there are things we look forward to and look forward to, but with a new telescope and this new high-resolution infrared data, we won’t know until we see it,” said Joseph DePasquale, developer of scientific visuals for STScI.
Early alignment images have already demonstrated the unprecedented sharpness of Webb’s infrared vision. However, these new images will be the first in full color and the first to show Webb’s full scientific capabilities. In addition to the images, Webb will capture spectroscopic data – detailed information that astronomers can read in the light. The first package of images of materials will highlight the scientific topics that inspired the mission and will be the focus of his work: the early universe, the evolution of galaxies through time, the life cycle of stars and others. mons. All Webb start-up data, data taken while the telescope is aligned and instruments are being prepared, will also be made available to the public.
Webb science
What’s next?
Science! After capturing their first images, they will begin Webb’s scientific observations, continuing to explore the mission’s key scientific topics. Teams have already requested through a competitive process the time to use the telescope, in what astronomers call their first “cycle” or first year of observations. Observations are carefully programmed to make more efficient use of telescope time.
These observations mark the official start of Webb’s general scientific operations, the work for which he was designed. Astronomers will use Webb to observe the infrared universe, analyze the data collected, and publish scientific articles about their discoveries.
Beyond what is already planned for Webb, there are unexpected discoveries that astronomers cannot predict. An example: in 1990, when NASA / ESA’s Hubble Space Telescope was launched, dark energy was completely unknown. It is now one of the most exciting areas of astrophysics. What will Webb find out?
Webb’s takeoff on the Ariane 5
Join the celebration
This highly anticipated collection of high-secret images and spectra is intended to be widely shared around the world. To help celebrate this important launch, ESA / Webb invites proposals from organizations, institutions and groups across Europe to maximize the scope and impact of these products with special events. These products will be provided in digital format and we welcome creative and innovative ideas on how to share these images and spectra with the general public in Europe.
Please see the official call for more information on how to participate. The deadline for applications is June 8, 2022.
The James Webb Space Telescope is the world’s largest space science observatory. Webb will solve the mysteries of our Solar System, look beyond distant worlds around other stars, and investigate the mysterious structures and origins of our Universe and our place in it. Webb is an international partnership between NASA, ESA and CSA. The telescope was launched with an Ariane 5 from the European spaceport to French Guiana.
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