When you have finished deploying and aligning your mirrors, James Webb Space Telescope completes the final tuning details of all his instruments. When this final stage is completed, we will finally be able to see his first full color images. Expected July 12th.so there’s still a month to go. Meanwhile, one can only hope that he will remain safe and sound. So the news recent meteorite impact This might have us fearing the worst, were it not for the fact that this giant of space telescopes is more than willing to deal with something like this.
Its creators knew that once they reached their destination, Lagrangian point 2 (L2), he may be hit by small stones that interfere with his mirrors or instruments. So they prepared James Webb for such incidents.
Not only is he tough, he also has the ability to re align your mirrors if they have a slight deviation after rumble of rocks or cosmic dust. The first blows were not long in coming. In fact, James Webb has already dealt with three small stones. But the latter was larger, so NASA engineers had breathless from the results. Fortunately, everything went according to plan. The telescope has not undergone any changes, and you will be able to continue working as usual.
Another great virtue of James Webb
The James Webb Space Telescope is ready for anything. He can easily endure constant exposure to cosmic radiation which can change its components. But he also has great physical strength. This is because its creators knew that it could be affected by meteorites.
His predecessor Hubble, subjected to such influences constantly. Even in the form of continuous bombardment. But, as explained Science Alert, there is a big difference between them. And the fact is that James Webb is much further. Therefore, scientists do not have the opportunity to approach physically to carry out the necessary repairs.
The big difference with Hubble is that it is much further away, so physical repairs are not possible.
Thus, the telescope is prepared to withstand such an accident with least possible consequences. During their development, they made simulation and testing of rock particle impact physics size of cosmic dust at high speed. In this way, they were able to make the necessary adjustments so that James Webb would move after these upheavals. His instruments could withstand them, and the mirrors adjusted themselves if necessary.
Bombardment as expected meteor shower. But he’s ready for that too. Since they are predictable, he is programmed to move just enough to avoid them on the dates they occur. He hasn’t been seen with anyone yet, but surely when the time comes, there will be no harm in fear.
Like it wasn’t now. This first stone, larger than the three previously collided, hit it in late May, the exact date is unknown, but may have been from 23 to 25 May.
The impact caused no damage, although it turned out to be larger than expected, so scientists are already planning an in-depth study of it to better understand the nature Medium L2 and make possible improvements in the future. What is clear is that there was nothing to regret. Everything is going according to plan and I’m sure that next month we will have some great photos to enjoy.
Source: Hiper Textual
