33. The James Webb Telescope: Looking forward into the distant past

The James Webb Telescope (JWT) is a large telescope that will orbit the Earth and allow us to see into deep space. Light from distant stars can take billions of years to reach Earth. The James Webb telescope will allow us to see almost beyond the edge of the observable universe! We will be looking back in time to the distant past.

Image by WikiImages Pixabay

The James Webb telescope will be seven times as powerful as the Hubble Space Telescope but it will be about half of Hubble's Diameter. It will be a primary mirror telescope. It will be 6.5 metres across and it's mirrors will be covered in a thin layer of gold to reduce the reflection of infrared light.

The James Webb telescope is going to be launched next month in December 2021 to celebrate the end of COVID-19. Make sure you pay attention to the news to see when it is launching. I know that I will be!

Video by NASA imagery Pixabay

The JWT will discover more about the pillars of creation. However, the Hubble will not be used as much anymore. Both telescopes will be used together. Nobody actually sits up there in the sky looking through the telescope. Signals from the telescopes are sent back to earth where we can see them.

The JWT was supposed to launch in March this year, but due to COVID-19, and 23046 cases in a day, they couldn't launch it. But right now, with the vaccines rolling out, we are reopening. This is why they are launching it on December 18.

NASA delayed the launch of the JWT in 2016, because of damage in the solar panels. After this damage was fixed the launch was delayed again due to COVID-19.

On the James Webb telescope, there is important elements. One of the most special features is the Spacecraft Bus. The Spacecraft Bus is the support component of the telescope. This means that it will keep it up in the Earth's orbit. Just in case it falls to its doom.

I hope you enjoyed reading about the James Webb telescope, If you like my blogs, check out my YouTube channel for cool videos about space and follow me on Facebook and Instagram.

Give me Space!

Henry