Robert Besser
13 May 2022, 21:18 GMT+10
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.
Get a daily dose of Kolkata Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Kolkata Sun.
More InformationMILAN, Italy: Prosecutors in Milan are seeking a six year prison term for former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi for ...
BUCHAREST, Romania: Romania's defense ministry has said that it will continue flying its remaining MiG-21 Lancer fighter jets until May ...
TIRANA, Albania: Following violent clashes between Dutch and Italian fans and the police ahead of this week's Europa Conference League ...
TOKYO, Japan: A new high-density electric battery developed in Japan has the potential to power electric airplanes, according to industry ...
ATHENS, Greece: After a sharp increase in attempted entries by migrants through its Aegean islands and land border with Turkey ...
HONG KONG: In his first public remarks since he was arrested under Hong Kong's National Security Law earlier this month, ...
NEW DEHLI, India: In a move expected to end the country's exports of the raw materials needed to manufacture steel, ...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: The Wall Street Journal has reported that Apple has told some of its contract manufacturers ...
LONDON, England: Citing a U.S. official, the Financial Times reported this week that during the Quad summit in Tokyo, the ...
New Delhi [India], May 29 (ANI): India reported 2,828 new COVID-19 cases, taking the cumulative infection tally to 4,31,53,043, informed ...
New Delhi [India], May 29 (ANI): On the occasion of International Day of UN Peacekeepers, External Affairs Minister Dr S ...
Doha [Qatar], May 29 (ANI): Indian men's football team suffered a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Jordan at the ...