James Webb telescope: follow live the last step of the deployment of its primary mirror


NASA will broadcast live the deployment of the last wing of the primary mirror of the James Webb telescope. You can follow him on his site, or on YouTube.

After years of waiting, we’re almost there. The James Webb Telescope, which launched into space on December 25, has since started to deploy. After its heat shield and secondary mirror, which are now in place, it is the turn of the wings of the primary mirror to be deployed.

Occasionally, NASA will organize a live, in order to follow the opening of the mirror live. ” This is what you have all been waiting for: the James Webb Space Telescope will soon open the wings of its primary mirror! “, wrote the space agency on Twitter. Deployment of the first wing began on January 7. It is the deployment of the second and last wing that will be followed live.Don’t miss the buzz! Watch our live coverage of the deployment of the last Primary Mirror Wing on social media and NASA TV “. The live will start at 2 p.m. UTC, or at 3 p.m. French time.

Watch live the deployment of the primary mirror

You can follow the live directly from the NASA website, but also on YouTube, thanks to the video below.

The deployment of James Webb’s main mirror is a crucial step for the telescope. This is the last phase of the unfolding process, after which JWST can finally begin to prepare for operations. Once fully operational, James Webb can begin his mission: to detect the light of the first galaxies, and to study the formation and evolution of galaxies.

James Webb will explore all phases of the history of the cosmos “, Specifies NASA on its site,” whether it’s from inside the solar system to the most distant galaxies, and everything in between. The telescope will make unexpected discoveries and help us better understand the origins of the universe, and our place in it “.

James Webb’s primary mirror // Source: NASA / Chris Gunn

A mission of the utmost importance, and for which James Webb is particularly well equipped. The primary mirror he is due to deploy this afternoon is the largest ever launched into space – so large that it had to be folded to fit into the rocket. This is why it must now be unfolded, and why this step is so important.

For further

The primary mirror when it is installed on the ship.  // Source: Northrop Grumman via Flickr (cropped photo)





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