First scientific image made by this Monday (11) James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The photo was announced live on social media by US President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and NASA (United States Space Agency) Administrator Bill Nelson.
The image shows the galaxy cluster SMACS 0723 full of details. There are hundreds of distant galaxies, never seen so clearly. According to NASA, the image covers a piece of our sky equivalent to a grain of sand seen from an outstretched arm’s distance.
The SMACS 0723 cluster is seen in the image as it was about 4.6 billion years ago. Because these celestial bodies are so far away, it takes time for their light to reach our space in the universe. So when we look through telescopes, we see the past.
JWST is an infrared telescope that can reveal details of the universe that our eyes and older telescopes cannot capture. The device was launched into space on December 25, 2021, after a series of delays. As the total cost of the equipment was around $10 billion (about R$54 billion at the 07/11/2022 exchange rate), the scientists chose to wait for the most convenient and safe time for launch.
Considered the successor to Hubble, the super telescope is the result of a partnership between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). According to NASA, the main industrial partner for the project is Northrop Grumman.
Before the picture was released, Kamala Harris said that the photograph was only possible thanks to the work of thousands of workers who devoted their lives to the project, and underlined the unity of different countries in the initiative. “JWST allows us to see the universe with greater depth and impressive clarity, this has only been possible through partnership between nations,” said the vice president.
The image released this Monday is just the beginning of JWST’s scientific operations. Tuesday (12), a new wave of photos will be released by NASA. The explanation can be followed from this link.
Astronomers around the world have been able to apply to use some of the telescope’s available time for this first cycle, according to the agency. The initial “targets” of the equipment were defined by a committee made up of representatives of the agencies responsible for the construction and operation of the JWST.
Source: Tec Mundo
I am Bret Jackson, a professional journalist and author for Gadget Onus, where I specialize in writing about the gaming industry. With over 6 years of experience in my field, I have built up an extensive portfolio that ranges from reviews to interviews with top figures within the industry. My work has been featured on various news sites, providing readers with insightful analysis regarding the current state of gaming culture.
