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James Webb Space Telescope

Discussion in 'Current Events' started by WalterSobchak, Dec 24, 2021.

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  1. WalterSobchak

    WalterSobchak Well-Known Member

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    The James Webb space telescope will be launching on Christmas morning. The remarkable telescope will be replacing the hubble telescope that has been in service for over 3 decades. If all goes well, this marvel of science and technology will be sent to Legrange point 2 orbit, 1 million miles away from the Earth to look at the ever expanding universe. I for one will make sure I wake up so that I can watch this historical launch take place on Christmas morning.

     
    WalterSobchak, Dec 24, 2021
    #1
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  2. Steve N

    Steve N Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Steve N, Dec 24, 2021
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  3. US Conservative

    US Conservative Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    The Hubble was a spy satellite that did double duty looking into space.

    This one is designed specifically for obtaining images of deep space it won't be in low earth orbit so if something malfunctions its done.

    The launch has been suspended several times now and the launch window is narrow.

    Be cool to see that it successfully launched tommorow morning.
     
    US Conservative, Dec 24, 2021
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  4. Steve N

    Steve N Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    I remember when the mirrors were polished to the wrong dimensions which resulted in the Hubble taking flawed photos that needed a space walk to fix. I hope they test this new telescope before sending it into higher orbit.
     
    Steve N, Dec 24, 2021
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  5. Nightmare515

    Nightmare515 Ragin' Cajun Staff Member Past Donor

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    They've done tests upon tests upon tests of it, that's what has taken so long for it to finally be ready to launch. Once in place in the L2 point it will be roughly a million miles away from the Earth prohibiting any future repairs. There are over 300 single points of failure for this telescope and it has to deploy and setup flawlessly way out there or it won't work.

    Astronomy has been my favorite hobby ever since I was a boy and I've followed the development of James Webb for over a decade. I'm move nervous for tomorrows launch than I am of wondering if my friend will like the Xmas gift I got her lol....
     
    Nightmare515, Dec 24, 2021
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  6. MiaBleu

    MiaBleu Well-Known Member

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    exciting. I HOPE that this goes as smoothly as possible. This will open up a new and updated version of astronomical studies.......

    Will be watching ;-)
     
    MiaBleu, Dec 24, 2021
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  7. WalterSobchak

    WalterSobchak Well-Known Member

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    I agree 100%. The launch itself is the best Christmas gift I can receive.

    Definitely no repairing it once it gets to L2, but I did read that NASA is working on an orbital, robot rocket refueling system for Webb. That would be great if they can make that happen.

    But first things first, I wanna see this beauty successfully unfold and set up over the next several weeks with no issues.
     
    WalterSobchak, Dec 24, 2021
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  8. Steve N

    Steve N Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Any idea how long it will take before we start seeing pictures?
     
    Steve N, Dec 24, 2021
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  9. US Conservative

    US Conservative Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    If you ever get some time pick up a pair of binos and point them at the night sky.

    I've got few apps and basically look first then use the apps to tell me what I'm looking at.

    I prefer either 6x for its wide fov or 8.5x45s for more light gathering.

    Another cool thing is it's color rendition. Real cool to stare at a cluster and get an almost 3d effect and see individual red or blue stars.

    Wish I had NVGs.
     
    Last edited: Dec 24, 2021
    US Conservative, Dec 24, 2021
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  10. FreshAir

    FreshAir Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Merry Christmas to those working Christmas
     
    FreshAir, Dec 24, 2021
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  11. US Conservative

    US Conservative Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    US Conservative, Dec 24, 2021
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  12. FreshAir

    FreshAir Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    they probably keep them guarded at first so people can claim discoveries, otherwise anyone could make them
     
    FreshAir, Dec 24, 2021
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  13. Steve N

    Steve N Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Unless there’s something in a photo that no one sees except one person, I’d say the telescope or the people behind it made the discoveries.
     
    Steve N, Dec 24, 2021
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  14. Moolk

    Moolk Banned

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    Very cool.
     
    Moolk, Dec 25, 2021
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  15. MiaBleu

    MiaBleu Well-Known Member

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    Totally AGREE. and yes...what a delightful Xmas present.
     
    MiaBleu, Dec 25, 2021
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  16. straight ahead

    straight ahead Well-Known Member

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    AOC is complaining the telescope won't pay its fair share of taxes.
     
    straight ahead, Dec 25, 2021
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  17. US Conservative

    US Conservative Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    When told about the sat, she responded with "I love kaleidoscopes!"
    [​IMG]
     
    US Conservative, Dec 25, 2021
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  18. WalterSobchak

    WalterSobchak Well-Known Member

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    The launch went perfectly. Now I pray that all 345 points of failure happen without a single item failing.

    Go Webb Go!!!!
     
    WalterSobchak, Dec 25, 2021
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  19. French ex soldier

    French ex soldier Member Past Donor

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    hello and merry christmas for every body. I’v got my gift with this launch. Like a french man I am very proud for this launch (french guyana and Ariane V), when James Webb will be operational I will be proud like an…human being and for Nasa.
     
    French ex soldier, Dec 25, 2021
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  20. fmw

    fmw Well-Known Member

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    What is the reason for the distant orbit?
     
    fmw, Dec 25, 2021
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  21. Phyxius

    Phyxius Well-Known Member

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    There are several.

    Lagrange points are stable, and require minimum fuel to maintain.

    Permanently in Earth's shadow. Webb is an infrared telescope, and needs things to be as cold as possible.

    Far enough away from Earth to filter out any thermal contamination from the home world...
     
    Phyxius, Dec 25, 2021
    #21
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  22. Irrational thinker

    Irrational thinker Well-Known Member

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    Global warming can hamper JWST?
     
    Irrational thinker, Dec 25, 2021
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  23. US Conservative

    US Conservative Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Glad the launch went well.

    I watched the NASA feed and there was little footage of the launch until cargo separation at the end.

    Presumably because of the cloud cover.
     
    US Conservative, Dec 25, 2021
    #23
  24. US Conservative

    US Conservative Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Joyeux Noël!
     
    US Conservative, Dec 25, 2021
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  25. Darthcervantes

    Darthcervantes Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    I’d hate to sound ignorant, but what’s this gonna show us? More exo planets that we can’t reach? We currently spot new planets by tiny blips of darkness as they orbit around their sun/star. How does this help with anything?
    We know there is a sub surface ocean beneath Jupiter’s moon Europa. Why are we not exploring that?
     
    Darthcervantes, Dec 25, 2021
    #25
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