not a selfie , a telfie, from the JWT

[moof]

The observatory shared its first selfie from space after testing its iconic gold mirror and Near Infrared Camera.

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https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/11/world/james-webb-space-telescope-selfie-images-scn/index.html

[lagomorph777]

1. Amazing they can do that.

Must be some special lens in the imager to focus on the mirror, instead of "through" the mirror. Basically, a "closeup" lens.

[jmowreader]

3. The JWST probably has diagnostic cameras on it

[lagomorph777]

4. Nope. I've seen numerous explanations of why it does not.

Too dark, the cameras and wires would leak heat into the extreme cold area, not actually useful, etc.

[electric_blue68]

2. Yay, Web! I love it took a selfie while continuing to cool down, and adjust mirrors.

[calimary]

5. Pretty doggone amazing!

[localroger]

6. This is explained on the JWST website

The Near Infrared Camera instrument, NIRCam, has features built in to facilitate the alignment and troubleshooting process. This image was created by imaging through a special aperture that was provided to get the image of the mirrors rather than of whatever they might be focused on. The hexagon that is glowing is illuminated by the light of a single star which happens to be focused approximately on the imaging aperture. NIRCam has other features that were included for doing the alignment rather than space observations, so it will be the source of most of the magic for the next few months as they get it all straightened out.

[Kid Berwyn]

7. Seeing JWST in place is so reassuring.

Wonderful photo.