One of the primary tasks of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is to scan the atmospheres of exoplanets for signs of habitability. And, as far as we know, water is necessary for life. So naturally, detecting the presence of water in and around alien worlds is a high priority for planetary scientists. There is, however, one problem. Getting a clear, unfiltered view of what might be present in exoplanet atmospheres can be difficult due to the presence of something seemingly trivial — haze. It’s likely that organic hazes of…
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James Webb Space Telescope detects clues about how Earth formed billions of years ago
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has spied planet-forming disks letting off a cold “steam,” providing crucial evidence for a leading theory describing how planets are built. This excess water vapor was detected by the James Webb Space Telescope in two compact disks of gas and dust surrounding young stars that are just 2 million to 3 million years old — which is incredibly young in the scope of our universe’s timeline. The disks are located in the Taurus star-forming region, which sits about 430 light years away. Astronomers believe…
Read MoreJames Webb Space Telescope could soon solve mysteries of the Milky Way’s heart
Ever since astronomers first laid their eyes on the sparkling spiral arms of our home galaxy, the Milky Way, they have wondered what processes might drive the evolution of these massive, star-studded structures. Presumably, those same processes are why we see such a stunning diversity of galactic neighborhoods in the observable universe, which contains an estimated 2 trillion galaxies with unique sizes, shapes and compositions. So, in an effort to further our understanding of galactic evolution, over 100 astronomers from over 80 institutions around the world have called for the…
Read MoreThe James Webb Space Telescope’s tech breakthroughs are already impacting science. Here’s how
NASA’s mighty James Webb Space Telescope, (JWST)has no shortage of accomplishments to its credit. From its vantage point in space, roughly 1.5 million kilometers (1 million miles) away from Earth, the JWST has been snapping breathtaking images and generating insights about stars, planets and galaxies that were simply not possible by its predecessors. And back home, spinoff technologies the observatory left in the telescope’s wake are benefitting everyday life, like new types of LASIK tech helping to aid human eyes. The latest update on the matter concerns significant improvements to…
Read MoreJames Webb Space Telescope spots jet stream on Jupiter stronger than a Category 5 hurricane
Though NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was initially touted as having the power to unveil our universe’s furthest horizons — and it surely has — some of the observatory’s most gorgeous images are actually ones of our very own solar system. With its gold-plated hive of mirrors and backpack of infrared equipment, such as the Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam), the James Webb Space Telescope has reintroduced us to the stunning place we call home, making us feel like we’re seeing our planetary neighbors for the first time all over again.…
Read MoreSpace telescope images star on new ESA-endorsed Swatch watches
Now you can select your favorite swath of the universe and display it on it your wrist, thanks to a new collaboration between Swatch and the European Space Agency (ESA). For a limited time, Swatch is making a collection of ESA’s space telescope images available for customizing a range of Swatch X You watches. Six new Swatch X You ESA designs are now available through Dec. 17, each featuring an image that was captured by the Hubble Space Telescope or James Webb Space Telescope. “This is a wonderful opportunity to…
Read MoreThin Red Lines: Webb Space Telescope Captures Star Creation on Grand Scale
New imagery from the James Webb Space Telescope shows a nearby galaxy in a whole new light. The post Thin Red Lines: Webb Space Telescope Captures Star Creation on Grand Scale appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreWhat We See in the First Science Images from the James Webb Space Telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope released its first science images today. Here’s what these images show us. The post What We See in the First Science Images from the James Webb Space Telescope appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreThe James Webb Space Telescope Has Arrived at Its Destination
Fully deployed, the James Webb Space Telescope arrived at its new home today, in a halo orbit around the Earth-Sun L2 Lagrange point. The post The James Webb Space Telescope Has Arrived at Its Destination appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreDeployment of the James Webb Space Telescope Is Complete
The James Webb Space Telescope has unfolded its primary mirror, marking the end of the deployment phase for the observatory. The post Deployment of the James Webb Space Telescope Is Complete appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
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