Following testing, NASA space telescope to begin operating in July

Robert Besser
13 May 2022, 21:18 GMT+10

Astronomers said this week that the testing of NASA's new space telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, is nearly completed
The telescope sent back the latest test pictures of a neighboring satellite galaxy, and the results are better than the images taken by the Spitzer Space Telescope
Each of the 18 mirror segments on the new telescope is larger than the single mirror on Spitzer

WASHINGTON D.C.: Astronomers said this week that the testing of NASA's new space telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, is nearly completed, with scientific observations expected to begin in July.

The telescope sent back the latest test pictures of a neighboring satellite galaxy, and the results are better than the images taken by the Spitzer Space Telescope, NASA's previous infrared observatory.

Each of the 18 mirror segments on the new telescope is larger than the single mirror on Spitzer.

University of Arizona's Marcia Rieke, chief scientist for Webb's near-infrared camera, said, "It is not until you actually see the kind of image that it delivers that you really internalize and go 'wow!' Just think of what we are going to learn," as quoted by the Associated Press.

Launched in December, the $10 billion Webb, the largest and most powerful astronomical observatory ever sent into space, will look for light emitted by the first stars and galaxies, close to 14 billion years ago, as well as for possible signs of life.

Scientists are keeping the identity of Webb's first target a secret.

The telescope, positioned 1 million miles from Earth, is considered the successor to the aging Hubble Space Telescope.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Australian Herald.

More Information

13 ℃

Showers in the Vicinity in Sydney

International

Section

Japan prime minister warns China over East China Sea moves

TOKYO, Japan: China's efforts to develop areas in the East China Sea are "unacceptable," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said ...

US House Speaker Pelosi banned from communion over abortion views

SAN FRANCISCO, California: In a letter released this week, the archbishop of San Francisco, Salvatore Cordileone, said U.S. House Speaker ...

Tornado hits western German city; dozens injured, 2 dead

BERLIN, Germany: At least 43 people were injured after a tornado struck the western German city of Paderborn on May ...

American arrested, Chinese officials charged with spying in US

WASHINGTON D.C.: The Department of Justice has said that an American citizen and four Chinese intelligence officers have been charged ...

To help US businesses, 35,000 foreign workers to be taken in

WASHINGTON D.C.: Due to the inability of businesses to hire enough workers, the U.S. has announced that it will grant ...

US Senate to vote on resolution urging probe of beef price fixing

WASHINGTON D.C.: U.S. senators Elizabeth Warren and Mike Rounds have introduced a bipartisan resolution requesting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ...