topic Re: The James Webb telescope... in Community Chat

The James Webb telescope...

PuppyLoverBob666 — Sat, 25 Dec 2021 03:34:35 GMT

...is being launched, from French Guiana toorrow and I don't know the exact time, but I'm really excited! IF it deploys when it's supposed to--a million miles away, and it'll take approx. 6 months to get there, and if all its instruments open up when and how they're designed to...we might very possibly see the first few seconds after the Big Bang. (NASA says this, not me, so don't blame me it some of this is wrong ;-) )

Is anyone else excited about this? My guess is that if the pictures arrive on time, NASA will share them right around Independence Day. Wow, wouldn't that be great!

Re: The James Webb telescope...

Writertoo — Sat, 25 Dec 2021 03:47:49 GMT

I am!!! The media should be making a big deal of this. It’s a huge step in our understanding of the universe. I understand there are a lot of points at which things can go awry. But I am hoping with all my heart that luck is on the side of all the technicians, experts and scientists who worked so diligently on this project. Godspeed to those who will launch the rocket carrying the telescope. I can’t wait to hear what is found out about the beginning of time months from now.

Re: The James Webb telescope...

gardenman — Sat, 25 Dec 2021 12:43:09 GMT

The Hubble (after some early issues) has been amazing and this promises to be even better. (Assuming it works when in space. We can't make a service call on this one where they're putting it.) I like to think they learned from the Hubble's miscues, but we won't know for sure until the new scope reaches its final position. The potential is pretty impressive though.

Re: The James Webb telescope...

PamfromCT — Sat, 25 Dec 2021 13:30:24 GMT

What an amazing event!

My DH is 80 years old. His first job out of grad school was working on the space suit, then the back pack for America’s first moon landing.

Computers were in their infancy then. Most work was done.by use of a “slide rule.” Most people now likely have never seen one.

Isn’t science amazing!