James Webb Telescope Launched

[Razor]

I watched the launch of the James Webb telescope this morning. What a sight! What an accomplishment! I am amazed how such a complex project can come to fruition without a hitch on liftoff and achieving orbit. 

I was especially impressed when Bill Nelson, the head of NASA, quoted from Psalm19.

 

[BrotherTony]

We wanted to watch this this morning, but weren't able to as we had other obligations. Others have, as you have, been enamoured with the whole thing! I'm thankful it went off without a hitch!

[Razor]

The James Webb Space Telescope is truly on its way.

 

 

The massive observatory launched today (Dec. 25) from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, at 7:20 a.m. EST (1220 GMT). Just 12.5 hours later, the spacecraft began a vital maneuver on its month-long journey to its future outpost as the observatory executed a 65-minute-long thruster burn that concluded at 8:55 p.m. EST (0155 GMT), according to a statement from NASA.

The space telescope is destined to orbit a point in space known as Earth-sun Lagrange point 2 or L2, which is located nearly 1 million miles (1.5 million kilometers) away from Earth on the opposite side as the sun. The spacecraft covered the first 10% of that journey within 12 hours of launching. Then, when the telescope was about 100,000 miles (160,000 km) away from Earth, the observatory executed a crucial burn to ensure it would safely reach its destination.

[Razor]

James Webb space teleschop engineers take extra time to ensure smooth sunshade deploy.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/james-webb-space-telescope-engineers-smooth-sunshade-deploy/

 

Watch the video explanation. It is fascinating. 

 

 

 

[Razor]

Sun shield fully deployed -- this is good news

 

The new James Webb Telescope has passed a major milestone in its quest to image the first stars to shine in the cosmos. 

Controllers on Tuesday completed the deployment of the space observatory's giant kite-shaped sun shield.

Only with this tennis court-sized barrier will Webb have the sensitivity to detect the signals coming from the most distant objects in the Universe.

Commissioning work will now concentrate on unpacking the telescope's mirrors, the largest of which is 6.5m wide.

[BrotherTony]

1 hour ago, Razor said:

Sun shield fully deployed -- this is good news

 

The new James Webb Telescope has passed a major milestone in its quest to image the first stars to shine in the cosmos. 

Controllers on Tuesday completed the deployment of the space observatory's giant kite-shaped sun shield.

Only with this tennis court-sized barrier will Webb have the sensitivity to detect the signals coming from the most distant objects in the Universe.

Commissioning work will now concentrate on unpacking the telescope's mirrors, the largest of which is 6.5m wide.

Though this is interesting to some degree, in light of the Bible, it seems like it's a waste of time and money.

[Razor]

Secondary mirror deployed successfully.

More good news

The James Webb Space Telescope achieved another major milestone today, successfully extending its secondary mirror as it continues to sail seamlessly through its never-before-conducted deployment sequence on the way to its destination. 

The 2.4-foot-wide (0.74 meters) secondary mirror sits attached to a tripod opposite the main mirror. Its task is to concentrate the light collected by the gold-coated main mirror into an opening at the main mirror's center. Through this opening, the light reaches the third mirror, which reflects it to the telescope's instruments.

 

https://www.space.com/james-webb-space-telescope-secondary-mirror-deployed

[BrotherTony]

41 minutes ago, Razor said:

Secondary mirror deployed successfully.

More good news

The James Webb Space Telescope achieved another major milestone today, successfully extending its secondary mirror as it continues to sail seamlessly through its never-before-conducted deployment sequence on the way to its destination. 

The 2.4-foot-wide (0.74 meters) secondary mirror sits attached to a tripod opposite the main mirror. Its task is to concentrate the light collected by the gold-coated main mirror into an opening at the main mirror's center. Through this opening, the light reaches the third mirror, which reflects it to the telescope's instruments.

 

https://www.space.com/james-webb-space-telescope-secondary-mirror-deployed

Could you explain how this is "good news"? Please, also explain how this is going to benefit anyone here on this planet. Don't get me wrong...it is interesting to a point...but it's a terrible waste of taxpayer money.

[Razor]

10 minutes ago, BrotherTony said:

Could you explain how this is "good news"? Please, also explain how this is going to benefit anyone here on this planet. Don't get me wrong...it is interesting to a point...but it's a terrible waste of taxpayer money.

Why is it a waste of money?

[BrotherTony]

1 hour ago, Razor said:

Why is it a waste of money?

Typical avoidance of questions...now I'm almost sure you're BB! 

[Razor]

And more good news:

NASA’s new space telescope opened its huge, gold-plated, flower-shaped mirror Saturday, the final step in the observatory's dramatic unfurling.

The last portion of the 21-foot (6.5-meter) mirror swung into place at flight controllers’ command, completing the unfolding of the James Webb Space Telescope.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/space-telescopes-golden-eye-opens-162426674.html

Edited January 8, 2022 by Razor

[BrotherTony]

24 minutes ago, Razor said:

And more good news:

NASA’s new space telescope opened its huge, gold-plated, flower-shaped mirror Saturday, the final step in the observatory's dramatic unfurling.

The last portion of the 21-foot (6.5-meter) mirror swung into place at flight controllers’ command, completing the unfolding of the James Webb Space Telescope.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/space-telescopes-golden-eye-opens-162426674.html

And the purpose of the wasting of so many tax dollars? 

[Jim_Alaska]

Having been involved in cutting edge science for many years, I can attest that scientific projects like this one benefits us greatly. Much of the science, knowledge, mechanics, products, as well as all the "spin offs" ,have had a vast economic benefit for us in real dollars as well as knowledge. So, I don't consider it money wasted.

But this is a Christian discussion message board. As interesting as something like this may be, it is off topic for this kind of a forum. Let's stick to God, Bible, and Christian topics.

[SureWord]

14 minutes ago, Jim_Alaska said:

Having been involved in cutting edge science for many years, I can attest that scientific projects like this one benefits us greatly. Much of the science, knowledge, mechanics, products, as well as all the "spin offs" ,have had a vast economic benefit for us in real dollars as well as knowledge. So, I don't consider it money wasted.

But this is a Christian discussion message board. As interesting as something like this may be, it is off topic for this kind of a forum. Let's stick to God, Bible, and Christian topics.

What? Since when can we not talk about other things? The Covid thread is miles long.

[Razor]

37 minutes ago, SureWord said:

What? Since when can we not talk about other things? The Covid thread is miles long.

I am not sure I understand your criticism as this thread is in the Current Events forum. Can you explain why it should not be here?