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James Webb Space Telescope

Adapted from Wikipedia · Explorer experience

A model of the James Webb Space Telescope, a powerful space observatory that helps scientists explore the universe.

James Webb Space Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope is a very special telescope that floats in space. It is the biggest space telescope ever made! It can see faraway stars and galaxies that are very old. This helps scientists learn about the universe.

The telescope was launched on December 25, 2021, from Kourou in French Guiana. It was carried into space by an Ariane 5 rocket. Now, it stays near the Sun and Earth point called the L2 Lagrange point.

The James Webb Space Telescope looks at infrared light. This is a special kind of light that we cannot see with our eyes. It helps the telescope see through space dust and see very old parts of the universe. Its big mirror is made of 18 pieces coated in gold and beryllium. The mirror must stay very cold, so the telescope uses a special five-layer sunshield to stay cool.

The telescope was built by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It had help from the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). On July 11, 2022, it sent its first beautiful picture to the world.

The James Webb Space Telescope helps scientists learn about the first stars, the formation of the first galaxies, and planets around faraway stars. It is like a time machine, showing us the universe as it looked a long, long time ago.

Images

Engineers test the mirrors of the James Webb Space Telescope at very cold temperatures to ensure they are shaped perfectly for observing deep space.
An artist's illustration of the James Webb Space Telescope from 2009, showing its top side.
An illustration of the James Webb Space Telescope showing its bottom side, helping us explore deep space.
The Sunshield of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, a giant protective layer that folds out in space to keep the telescope cold and sharp.
Engineers clean a telescope mirror using a special CO2 snow technique in a clean room laboratory.
The mirror assembly of the James Webb Space Telescope, showcasing the advanced technology used in space exploration.
A close-up of the NIRCam instrument from the James Webb Space Telescope, shown in a clean room at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
A calibration assembly for the NIRSpec instrument of the James Webb Space Telescope, shown in a laboratory before being sent to space.
The Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) on board the James Webb Space Telescope, used to capture images of distant stars and galaxies.
Diagram showing the major components of the James Webb Space Telescope: the spacecraft bus, sunshield, optical telescope, and science instrument module.
A group of people posing with a full-scale model of the James Webb Space Telescope to show its impressive size.
A close-up of the James Webb Space Telescope's golden mirror segment, showcasing the advanced technology used in space exploration.
The James Webb Space Telescope being tested to prepare for its journey into space. These tests ensure the telescope can handle the rough conditions of a rocket launch!

Related articles

Space telescope
Universe
Kourou
French Guiana
Ariane 5
Lagrange point#L2 point

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on James Webb Space Telescope, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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