NASA

New NASA Space Telescope Beams Back Stunning Test Photos of Cosmos

The results from the James Webb Space Telescope are stunning when compared with images taken by NASA’s previous infrared observatory, the Spitzer Space Telescope

NASA space galaxy telescope photos
NASA/JPL-Caltech, NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI via AP

NASA's new space telescope is in the home stretch of testing, with science observations expected to begin in July, astronomers said Monday.

The James Webb Space Telescope beamed back the latest test pictures of a neighboring satellite galaxy, and the results are stunning when compared with images taken by NASA’s previous infrared observatory, the Spitzer Space Telescope.

Each of the 18 mirror segments on the new telescope is bigger than the single one on Spitzer.

"It's not until you actually see the kind of image that it delivers that you really internalize and go ‘wow!’” said University of Arizona’s Marcia Rieke, chief scientist for Webb’s near-infrared camera. “Just think of what we're going to learn."

Launched last December, the $10 billion Webb is the largest and most powerful astronomical observatory ever sent into space. It will seek light emitted by the first stars and galaxies close to 14 billion years ago, and keep a sharp lookout for possible signs of life.

Scientists are keeping the identity of Webb's first official target a secret.

Positioned 1 million miles (1.6 million kilometers) from Earth, Webb is considered the successor to the aging Hubble Space Telescope.

James Webb Space Telescope (JWST or Webb)
alex-mit via Getty Images
File Illustration: The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST or Webb), 3d illustration, elements of this image are furnished by NASA.

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NASA’s James Webb telescope is going to change our understanding of the universe forever. Maurice te Plate of the European Space Agency, who is a systems engineer for the telescope, joined LX News Now host Eric Alvarez to explain why it is a “game changer.”
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