The James Webb Space Telescope also looks ‘close up’: the first image of Jupiter
NASA
NOS . News•
-
Ivo Landmann
Online Editor
-
Ivo Landmann
Online Editor
The new James Webb Space Telescope has been hailed in recent days due to its crystal-clear images from the most distant regions of the visible universe. But a telescope can also magnify objects in the cosmic backyard. The US space agency NASA released images of Jupiter, which used the telescope mainly to test its instruments.
At first glance it is a rather faint image of the gas giant, especially in comparison with the images we are accustomed to, for example, Juno probe. But NASA is excited about it: infrared images show not only the planet, but also several of Jupiter’s thin, bright moons and rings.
“I can’t believe everything can be seen with such clarity and brightness,” said Stephanie Milam, a planetary scientist at NASA. According to Brian Holler, a fellow at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, the images show just how diverse James Webb can be. “This shows the full extent of what Webb can observe, from the most distant galaxies to planets that you can see for yourself with the naked eye.”
JWST / NASA
After months of testing and calibration, the first “real” images of the new telescope were released on Tuesday. Foot. Comparisons with the space telescope’s predecessor, the Hubble, are now being shown in more and more locations.
-
NASA
SMACS 0723, a group of galaxies 5 billion light-years away seen by Hubble (left) and Webb (r) -
NASA
Stephan’s Quintet, a group of galaxies in the constellation Pegasus through Hubble (l) and Webb (r) lenses -
NASA
The Carina Nebula as seen by Hubble (left) and Webb (r)
The first image released by NASA shows a patch of space filled with colored dots. in BV . News On NPO Radio 1, astronomy professor Vincent Eck explained what can actually be seen. “If you look closely, you can see that every spot is a galaxy, where every spot is the size of our Milky Way, in the depths of the universe, 13 billion years ago, 800,000 years after the Big Bang. In space looking back in time” .
In the near future, Webb will direct his huge mirror at many cosmic bodies. Scholars can submit requests for this. The telescope will be operational next summer two outer planets be targeted. These are planets revolving around a star other than the sun.
“Web maven. Infuriatingly humble beer geek. Bacon fanatic. Typical creator. Music expert.”