Astronomers are breathing a sigh of relief as the James Webb Space Telescope successfully completed a series of crucial steps to achieve full deployment
NASA GSFC/CIL/Adriana Manrique Gutierrez
Locking the mirror in place marks the final step of JWST’s long unfurling, after it was packed and launched aboard an Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana on 25 December. The JWST is, and will see further back into the universe than ever before to image the first stars. Then, on 5 January, JWST’s secondary mirror was extended out in front on three long poles, before its primary mirror’s second side panel was unfolded on 8 January, marking the end of all major deployments.
JWST’s 18 gold-plated mirrors will also need to be adjusted to align the telescope optics. NASA engineers will move 126 mirror motors over a period of several months in order to flex them into place. Once the alignment is complete, the scientific instruments will undergo a final calibration before being ready to image the deep universe in May or June this year.
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