James Webb Space Telescope captivates the world with NASA's deepest image of space
However, Webb's research does notlimited only to distant objects: in the few months since the start of the telescope, there have been images of star clusters, exoplanets, and even several objects of the nearest space - our solar system.
Space observatory hours are scheduled by the minute, so why is it spent on what can be seen in a regular home telescope.
Sees what others miss
Key advantage of a space telescope"James Webb" is that it works with light in the near and mid-infrared range. First of all, this is necessary for studying the early Universe: due to the red shift, visible light from distant galaxies shifts towards the infrared range.
Although this feature is not directly intendedfor studying the solar system, but here it was useful too. The space telescope records light with wavelengths from 0.6 to 28.5 microns, and images are obtained with high spectral resolution.
Here are a few possible targets that a telescope can study.
- Planets and satellites.Many important molecules, including those thatserve as an important signal about the existence of life. They leave traces in the spectrum that James Webb studies. For example, it can accurately determine the content of water, heavy water (HDO), carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur and methane in the atmosphere or on the surface.
- Kuiper belt.Space telescope can collect datanear-infrared spectrum and mid-infrared photometry (albedo) for any known Kuiper Belt asteroid. And these data, together with other observations, help determine their composition and answer the question of how the Solar system was formed.
- Atmospheres.The characteristics of the telescope allow you to monitorweather on all planets located farther from the Earth from the Sun. Throughout the mission, for three months twice a year, the telescope will collect information about what is happening in the atmospheres of planets and satellites.
Exploration of Mars
The presence of water and life on the Red Planet now andin the past is one of the driving forces of all Martian exploration. Webb will help complement and refine research conducted by rovers, landers and orbital stations.
By studying the spectrum of light passing through the atmosphereplanet and reflected by the surface, the researchers plan to look for signs of the Red Planet's turbulent watery past and what changed the stability of its atmosphere. In addition, geologists can use the telescope to study the formation and evolution of global dust storms and cloud systems over dormant volcanoes.
What happened to the Red Planet and can the Earthto repeat its history, perhaps it will be possible to answer these questions with the help of a telescope. At least the first image confirms the Webb's ability to study Mars.
Observations from the James Webb telescope on Mars. Image: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI and Mars JWST/GTO team
outer planets
"James Webb" can look at anythingis at an angle of more than 85° from the Sun from the Lagrange point 2 (L2). This means that all planets are accessible to him, starting with Mars, the asteroid belt, gas giants and Kuiper belt objects. Another limitation associated with the design of the telescope limits observation capabilities to 135° degrees from the Sun.
Field of view limitations are fundamentala consequence of the thermal design of the observatory and the sun visor, which keeps the telescope and instruments cool. This means that it is impossible to observe the Sun, Earth, Moon, Mercury and Venus, and comets that move against the background of the Sun.
However, the remaining space is enough forobservations of outer planets located outside the Asteroid Belt (at least for some time). By studying them, the space telescope can show how seasonal weather changes on Jupiter or Saturn's moons.
Using infrared spectrometry"Webb" can study the atmospheres of gas giants at various depths, and make maps of cyclones and clouds. In addition, the telescope can show in record detail how storms form and develop.
Of particular interest is Titan, the onlya world in the solar system that has liquid seas and lakes on its surface. They are filled not with water, but with methane, the more interesting it is to understand how the seasons and rain cycles on Titan differ from those on Earth.
In test mode, researchers studied the atmospheregas giants on the example of Jupiter. The first images showed numerous eddy systems that exist on the planet in addition to the huge storm called the Great Red Spot.
Photograph of Jupiter. Image: NASA, ESA, CSA, Jupiter ERS Team, Judy Schmidt
Also, the capabilities of the telescope will allow you to put ona map of organic molecules on the disks of the solar system's ice giants, Uranus and Neptune. They represent the least explored planets. Webb can map their atmospheric temperature and chemical structure, as well as determine their fundamental differences from the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn.
As people's ideas about space andits immensity grew, the solar system began to be perceived as close and well studied. Actually this is not true. Even in our planetary system there are many mysteries, the answers to which have not yet been found.
The study of planetary systems and the origin of lifeis one of the main targets of the James Webb Space Telescope. Webb's focus on infrared light gives astronomers the ability to study features on planetary surfaces and atmospheres that they could not see in visible light. And the solar system is no exception.
In addition, the telescope has a uniquethe ability to turn 90° in less than an hour, which means that if a new target suddenly appears, such as a comet that is colliding with Jupiter, the telescope will be ready to look at all the details.
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