James Webb Space Telescope (1 Viewer)

[Merl]

Just under 6 hrs until the insertion burn. It us 2,600 miles from the L2 point and has traveled 905,000 miles since launch ain 30 days.

 

[Merl]

It has reached the L2 point and successfully fired it's engine and inserted into orbit around the L2.

 

[Semper]

So cool...

 

[bonnjer]

It is incredible that they've done this with such great success. Now, the truly long wait begins until we can get some images.

 

[Optimus Prime]

It is incredible that they've done this with such great success. Now, the truly long wait begins until we can get some images.

six months right?

 

[Merl]

I believe it was 6 months from launch, so another 5 months.

 

[LonghornSaint]

So i have seen numerous vids about Lagrange points, but none have explained why the need to actually orbit around it (L2)? There's no mass to orbit around...to me it's just a fairly stable point in space from a gravity standpoint.

 

[Sailorsaint]

So i have seen numerous vids about Lagrange points, but none have explained why the need to actually orbit around it (L2)? There's no mass to orbit around...to me it's just a fairly stable point in space from a gravity standpoint.

The mass that the JWST orbits at L2 is the Sun and the Earth. It's actually considered an unstable lagrange point. The JWST is in the L2 because the Earth keeps it in the shadow of the Sun, less interference.

 

[LonghornSaint]

The mass that the JWST orbits at L2 is the Sun and the Earth. It's actually considered an unstable lagrange point. The JWST is in the L2 because the Earth keeps it in the shadow of the Sun, less interference.

I get the existence of the L points and why it's ideal to park stuff there, but why the orange circle indicating an orbit around L2 WHILE orbiting the sun? The perpendicular orbit around L2 while it tracks the earth orbit around the sun? Why not just hang out out there at L2?

 

[Sailorsaint]

I get the existence of the L points and why it's ideal to park stuff there, but why the orange circle indicating an orbit around L2 WHILE orbiting the sun? The perpendicular orbit around L2 while it tracks the earth orbit around the sun? Why not just hang out out there at L2?

And Webb will orbit around L2, not sit stationary precisely at L2. Webb's orbit is represented in this screenshot from our deployment video (below), roughly to scale; it is actually similar in size to the Moon's orbit around the Earth! This orbit (which takes Webb about 6 months to complete once) keeps the telescope out of the shadows of both the Earth and Moon. Unlike Hubble, which goes in and out of Earth shadow every 90 minutes, Webb will have an unimpeded view that will allow science operations 24/7.

Orbit - NASA Science

webb.nasa.gov

 

[ChopperSaint]

This is going to change the world forever

 

[bonnjer]

This is going to change the world forever

It already has. The technology they had to develop in order to properly align the mirrors is already being used for eye surgeries. I heard that on one of the NASA livestreams the other day.

 

[bonnjer]

Excellent.

James Webb Space Telescope captures its first images of a star

The James Webb Space Telescope has captured its first star imagery, plus a 'selfie' of its main mirror.

www.yahoo.com

 

[Semper]

This is mind boggling. I feel like a knuckle dtlragging Neanderthal next these scientists. I mean I knew they were smart but this is beyond me.

 

[Buickman]