This combination of images provided by NASA on Monday shows part of the Great Magellanic Cloud, a small satellite galaxy in the Milky Way seen by the retired Spitzer Space Telescope, on the left, and the new James Webb Space Telescope. The new telescope is in the initial phase of testing, and scientific observations are expected to begin in July. (NASA / JPL-Caltech / NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI / Associated Press)
NASA’s new space telescope is in the initial stages of testing, with scientific observations expected to begin in July, astronomers said Monday.
The James Web Space Telescope has sent the latest test images to a neighboring satellite galaxy, and the results are stunning compared to images taken by NASA’s previous infrared observatory, the Spitzer Space Telescope.
Each of the 18 mirror segments of the new telescope is larger than Spitzer’s single.
“Only when you actually see the kind of image it provides do you really internalize it and say, ‘Wow!'” Said Marcia Rique of the University of Arizona, chief scientist for Web infrared cameras. “Just think what we’re going to learn.”
WATCH Canadian researchers expect photos from the James Webb Telescope:
Canadian researchers expect images from the James Webb telescope
Canadian researchers are looking forward to photos from the James Webb Space Telescope and the potential of new space discoveries. 2:17
Launched last December, the $ 10 billion Webb ($ 13 billion Cdn) is the largest and most powerful astronomical observatory ever sent into space. It will search for light emitted by the first stars and galaxies nearly 14 billion years ago, and will keep a close eye on possible signs of life.
Scientists are keeping secret the identity of Web’s first official target.
Located 1.6 million kilometers from Earth, Webb is considered the successor to the aging Hubble Space Telescope.
Add Comment