For the space geeks out there...

[WinstonSmith4740]

The James Webb telescope leaving it's rocket to open up more of the universe to us. It saddens me when I see stuff like this sometimes because it serves to show up what we CAN do when our leaders aren't spending time, effort, and treasure trying to come up with more efficient ways to kill each other.

https://www.space.com/james-webb-space-telescope-last-view-4k-video?utm_source=SmartBrief&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=58E4DE65-C57F-4CD3-9A5A-609994E2C5A9&utm_content=5091EB61-E576-478D-9D59-958D32999FB5&utm_term=49fdcf12-9bd1-4bb0-bbca-2d5b8056ccff

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. Yes, it's beyond cool.

Last night I texted My Son The Astronomer and asked him if he and his fellow astronomers were celebrating, and he said, "Somewhat. Still waiting for the calibration images" which should start happening in a few weeks.

[JHB]

2. Yeah, there are still preliminaries before it "gets to the good parts"...

...but the preliminaries have all been working the way they're supposed to. No hitches have cropped up.

[Calista241]

3. I am so excited for this.

Still can't believe we spent $10b on this, and we only built one of them. Can you imagine the discoveries we could make if two of them were up there?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. What do you mean "the two of them"?

Hubble is still up and is expected to remain in working order at least until 2030, possibly to 2040.

[Calista241]

8. We should have physically made two of them.

The cost of actual construction was infinitesimal compared to the engineering that was used in the design and testing phase.

While I’d like it if Webb lasted more than 10 years, it’s not something we can count on. If we’d made two of them, we could double the observations and research

And Hubble has only three reaction wheels operational at this point, the minimum number required for operation. Hubble has had long periods of shutdown recently while engineers figure out how to squeak a few more months out of an aging platform. I’d be surprised if Hubble is still in operation in 3-5 years.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

9. I believe the main reason that Webb will only last about ten years

is that we won't be able to go there and do any repairs of fixes, unlike what we've done with the Hubble.

Astronomers are already planning some other advanced telescope that will hopefully be ready in the mid 2030s. My Son The Astronomer has mentioned it to me, but I don't recall any details. I think it may well be planned to look closely at exo-planets, which is his area of research. The Webb is intended to look as far back in time and as close to the Big Bang as possible. We'd like to know more about the early Universe. For one thing, all of the original stars are long since gone.

[EYESORE 9001]

5. I'm wondering whether a telescope that powerful

can see the face of god.

[wyn borkins]

6. Where Is Webb

Here is Webb

[WinstonSmith4740]

11. Thank you!

I love stuff like this. When we not only landed Ingenuity on Mars but started flying it, people that were completely unimpressed were so disappointing. How can you not be impressed with stuff like this?

[electric_blue68]

12. I know. How could you not at least go... 'Ah!" Maybe...

some people don't understand how thin the Martian atmosphere is, and thus how challenging such a feat
could be.

Very impressed at how many further, bigger flights it's made! 💖 🚁 💖

[NewHendoLib]

7. yes...nearly 80% of the way to L2. about to start calibrating the individual mirrors

I check this site daily. Such fun! So tough to have to wait months for it to be taking - and sending back - the amazing things it will capture.

https://www.jwst.nasa.gov/content/webbLaunch/whereIsWebb.html

[crickets]

10. So cool!

The visible debris in the background at the beginning of the video is a little unsettling.

Still, it is a majestic sight to see the panels unfold as the reflections grow brighter and brighter. Good luck, little telescope - send data home soon!