“This is farther away than humanity has ever seen,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson told the media on Wednesday. . “We are just beginning to understand what Webb can and will do.” NASA launched James Webb last December. Since then, it has been carrying out a specialized boot process that includes fine-tuning of all 18 of its huge mirror sections. A few months ago, NASA shared a “selfie” that marks the successful functions of the infrared camera and the main mirrors. Earlier this month, the agency said the telescope’s first images would be ready for public display at 10:30 a.m. ET on 12 July. One aspect of the universe that JWST will reveal is the exoplanets or planets outside our Solar System – namely, their atmospheres. This is the key to understanding if there are other planets similar to ours in the universe or if life can be found on planets under atmospheric conditions different from those on Earth. And Thomas Zurbuchen, deputy director of NASA’s Science Mission, has confirmed that images of the exoplanet’s atmospheric spectrum will be released to the public on July 12. In essence, James Webb’s excellent ability to capture the infrared spectrum means that he will be able to detect small molecules such as carbon dioxide. This will allow scientists to really examine if and how atmospheric compositions shape the ability of life to appear and develop on a planet. NASA officials also shared more good news: The agency’s estimates for the telescope’s excessive fuel capacity were up-to-date, and JWST will be able to capture space images for about 20 years. “Not only will these 20 years allow us to delve deeper into history and time, but we will delve deeper into science because we will have the opportunity to learn and grow and make new observations,” said NASA Deputy Chief of Staff Pam Melroy. . JWST has not had an easy route in deep space. The whole project came very close to not happening at all, Nelson said, as it began to run out of money and Congress considered canceling it altogether. He also encountered many delays due to technical problems. Then, when it reached space, it was immediately struck by a meteorite, a fact that certainly made every NASA official shudder. But overall, “six months has been amazing,” Webb project manager Bill Ochs confirmed.
