Peek Into The Universe's Secrets: James Webb Space Telescope Successfully Launched

After multiple delays and snags, NASA's groundbreaking James Webb Telescope was finally launched into space on December 25. Shot into space from the Ariane-5 rocket in Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, the giant telescope is set to change our understanding of the universe.

NASA

Why James Webb is a gamechanger

Built by NASA in collaboration with European Space Agency and Canadian Space Agency, the large infrared telescope has a 6.5 metre primary mirror.

Here it is: humanity¡¯s final look at @NASAWebb as it heads into deep space to answer our biggest questions. Alone in the vastness of space, Webb will soon begin an approximately two-week process to deploy its antennas, mirrors, and sunshield. #UnfoldTheUniverse pic.twitter.com/DErMXJhNQd

¡ª NASA (@NASA) December 25, 2021

This is thrice the size of Hubble Telescope's mirror, implying that James Webb would be able to capture far-off cosmos in richer detail than ever before. It'll also capture six times more light than Hubble and is being touted as 100 times more powerful.

We have LIFTOFF of the @NASAWebb Space Telescope!

At 7:20am ET (12:20 UTC), the beginning of a new, exciting decade of science climbed to the sky. Webb¡¯s mission to #UnfoldTheUniverse will change our understanding of space as we know it. pic.twitter.com/Al8Wi5c0K6

¡ª NASA (@NASA) December 25, 2021

Also read: 7 Crazy Facts About NASA's James Webb Space Telescope That Will Blow Your Mind

In fact, the James Webb telescope would offer us a glimpse into the past. Hubble offers us a look at galaxies and stars as they formed 400 million years after the Big Bang. James Webb would be able to see the universe that existed 250 million years (perhaps even 100 million years) after the Big Bang, bringing us closer to the starting point of the universe.

With eyes set on the universe's earliest stars and galaxies, NASA hopes to understand the origin of our planet and the universe better. In addition, James Webb would add more detail to images including realistic light, better structure, and even faint spiral arms.

NASA

World's most awaited telescope launch: James Webb!

All of universe is constantly expanding, meaning objects are constantly moving farther away from each other. With its infrared imaging, James Webb would be able to see ancient galaxies by following a red trail in a process called "redshifting." When this happens, light is stretched each time it appears and disappears, leaving behind a red trail. And voila, a galaxy we had never seen before!

Also read: NASA Telescope From 1990s Is On Sale For A Whopping $10 Million

The James Webb Telescope took over $10 billion to build and was marred with delays and last-minute issues that pushed its launch date to Christmas. It'll be situated extremely far away from Earth - roughly four times the distance between the Earth and Moon.

NASA

After the successful launch, the James Webb telescope would travel for nearly a week, unfurling its solar panels slowly to 24 metres. Are you excited to see what secrets James Webb reveals to us? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

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