In a historic moment, NASA launched the James Webb Space Telescope into space on Monday. The observatory will observe the origins of our universe and eventually search for life in other solar systems.
NASA’s “James Webb Space Telescope” is the most powerful telescope ever created. It launches successfully on Wednesday, October 27th.
While the billionaire space race attracts an ever-increasing number of tech billionaires and celebrities, NASA continues its scientific mission. NASA launched its most powerful telescope ever on Christmas morning. The James Webb Orbit Telescope was launched into space on an Ariane 5 rocket. For the next decade, the telescope will be NASA’s prime observation station. NASA used Twitter to herald the successful launch, saying, “The @NASAWebb Space Telescope has been LIFTOFF! The start of a new, thrilling decade of research soared to the sky at 7:20 a.m. ET (12:20 a.m. UTC). Webb’s goal to #UnfoldTheUniverse will transform the way we think about space.”
The Webb was launched from a European Space Agency spaceport in French Guiana by NASA. The ESA sees the Christmas launch as a gift to the public. “LIFTOFF of @esa webb and @ariane5 #VA256 on 25 December 2021, at 12:20 GMT/13:20 CET, a fantastic #Christmas gift to the worldwide @NASAWebb @csa asc and @esa teams and to space research!!! #WebbFliesAriane,” it tweeted after the launch.
The @NASAWebb Space Telescope has been LIFTOFF!
The start of a new, thrilling decade of research soared to the sky at 7:20 a.m. ET (12:20 a.m. UTC). Webb’s ambition to #UnfoldTheUniverse will transform the way we think about space. pic.twitter.com/Al8Wi5c0K6
25 December 2021, NASA (@NASA)
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson thanked the crews that worked so hard to make the Christmas launch possible after the launch. Nelson said, “This is a fantastic day for planet Earth” (via CNN). “Thank you to the whole crew. You’ve all been extraordinary. You worked on this telescope for three decades, and it will now transport us to the very origins of the cosmos. We will uncover fantastic things that we could never have imagined.”
The Webb Telescope’s goal includes studying the atmospheres of exoplanets (planets outside our solar system). Some exoplanets may have the capacity to support life. Studying them might lead to the discovery of life on other worlds.
Signals from some of the earliest galaxies to develop after the big bang will also be tracked by the telescope. These findings might provide answers to issues regarding our solar system. The Webb will also turn inwards to explore the Milky Way’s supermassive black hole.
LIFTOFF of @esa webb and @ariane5 #VA256 on December 25, 2021, at 12:20 GMT/13:20 CET, an incredible #Christmas gift to the worldwide @NASAWebb, @csa asc, and @esa teams, as well as to space research!!! pic.twitter.com/gRRKKIEYsy #WebbFliesAriane
— December 25, 2021, ESA (@esa)
Since 2004, NASA has been working on the Webb Telescope. The launch of the observatory was delayed due to technical difficulties and the epidemic. It’s now finished, thanks to the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency’s help and instrumentation.
Don’t hold your breath for news from the telescope. The Webb will take a month to reach its 1 million-mile orbit from Earth. After that, it’ll go through a six-month commissioning period. Its first observations are expected to be published in late 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NASAs strongest telescope?
A: The James Webb Space Telescope is NASAs strongest telescope. It can see objects in the distant universe, revealing stars and galaxies that never existed until now.
What is most powerful telescope in the world?
A: There are a wide variety of powerful telescopes in the world. Some more powerful than others, and some less expensive as well. This is because a large telescope can cost hundreds of millions to build while an inexpensive one may only be tens of thousands to produce.
Which is the largest and most powerful telescope ever launched until now?
Related Tags
- where is the hubble telescope
- largest telescope in the world
- spitzer space telescope
