I am always awestruck about the feats of engineering and science that goes into space exploration, and I love when there is yet another milestone to celebrate.
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
— NASA (@NASA) December 25, 2021
You can follow the news on the Webb Telescope Twitter feed or the blog dedicated to the Webb Telescope over at NASA.
StevoR says
Yes! 😀
And perfectly simply summed up above.
Feels like we’ve been waiting forever for this – and there’s still a way to go before we know if it has successfully deployed and reached its right L12 location. See :
https://jwst.nasa.gov/content/webbLaunch/whereIsWebb.html
But, been watching that here :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CpeVdQxs0Q
and am so happy right now. Next, hopefully if all goes to plan, we have first light, wonder, awe and new knowledge :
StevoR says
And people think scientists are unemotional .. Humanity, tension and joy manifest :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXjPgDol2jE
Also Scott Manley on the origami of the JWST and so much more :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp_7AJseYYc&list=TLPQMjUxMjIwMjHhlmi8U8_UAw&index=5
Tangentuial here but also completing an awesomely memorable Xmas 2021 for astronomers here :
https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2021-12-22/comet-leonard-photos-australia-southern-hemisphere/100718842
Sunday Afternoon says
Lapsed astronomer here. F’n awesome!
moarscienceplz says
YAAAY !!!!
This is the best Christmas present ever!
Marcus Ranum says
The NASA picture was of a 3D rendering. 🙁 Boo!
There is actually an actual picture of the Webb’s ass, as it advances into the unknown. I think they may have extended the solar panel a bit early so they could watch it come out and lock in place. The actual image is this:
https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/12/25/james-webb-space-telescope-final-view.png