The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a large, space-based observatory designed to observe astronomical objects and phenomena in infrared wavelengths. It serves as the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope and is named after James E. Webb, an administrator of NASA during the Apollo program. Launched on December 25, 2021, JWST has a primary mirror with a diameter of 6.5 meters, enabling it to capture detailed images and spectra of distant galaxies, stars, and exoplanets. Its location at the second Lagrange point (L2), approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, provides a stable environment and minimizes interference from our planet’s atmosphere and light. JWST’s capabilities include studying the formation of stars and planets, examining the chemical compositions of celestial bodies, and conducting observations of the early universe, thus providing insights into the origins and evolution of the cosmos.
The James Webb Space Telescope has uncovered a distant exoplanet's astonishing weather report, painting a vivid picture of a turbulent atmosphere. WASP-43 b, also known as Astrolábos, located a mere…