Three BIG updates for the James Webb Space Telescope

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  • Опубликовано: 19 ноя 2024

Комментарии • 2,4 тыс.

  • @DrBecky
    @DrBecky  2 года назад +266

    UPDATE: the primary mirrors have now successfully been folded out and latched into place 🥳 the entire unfold process is now successfully complete!! I can’t even quite believe that I’m typing this (albeit after a few glasses of wine to celebrate 🥂) - now the focussing of the mirror segments begins with two weeks to go until final position at L2. AND one of the NASA Webb team confirmed lifetime could be up to TWENTY YEARS 😱🥳😱

    • @stkygrnz
      @stkygrnz 2 года назад +3

      Now that the primary and secondary mirrors have been successfully deployed, is there any kind of chance that an error comparable to Hubble's mirror issue being discovered with the optics during focusing and testing? Or, were they able to confirm all necessary measurements while the satellite was still on the ground so that isn't a concern with this mission?

    • @ashroskell
      @ashroskell 2 года назад +4

      A huge relief! I thought it so improbable that I didn’t even bother to watch on the day, and it didn’t make the BBC Radio 4’s headlines that day. It was like a comedy gag, like one of those RUclips videos where the cat keeps getting closer every time you look away! But there are countless yet unborn and others who just don’t care, who will soon be stunned to see the revelations of the JWT! The first images will have nothing on what we’re all discussing by this time next year. Congrats NASA! They’re a deeply flawed institution, looking set to lose their primacy in the space ways, just as things are finally popping in orbital, Lunar and Martian sciences, sadly. But this mission might be their last, greatest contribution to cosmology?

    • @ashroskell
      @ashroskell 2 года назад +10

      @@stkygrnz : Certainly not of the same kind, no. Practically everything about JW was designed with the shadow of Hubble’s, “spectacles,” hanging over it. It’s a different type of technology, using a different type of, “vision,” which works in utterly unrelated ways. I’m no expert, but I know this much. They can make continual adjustments (as can the JWT itself) to correct for any minor errors. Also, they already know that there are no unfixable issues that have gone up with the satellite, as in the case of Hubble, which took it’s incorrectly calibrated mirror into space with it. At this stage, would take the sort of thing that you would put down on your insurance form as, “An Act Of God,” to disrupt its running now, like a meteor strike or space debris (a perennial worry) or a mistake of such egregious proportions from the programmers on the ground that it couldn’t possibly go unnoticed by the thousands of checks and balances they have set up. It even has protection against electro magnetic bursts of energy from the sun, of the type that normally kill satellites. We can never say never, but . . . 🤞

    • @djdrake1163
      @djdrake1163 2 года назад +2

      20 years ?? Hell yeah.

    • @joachimkoenen3952
      @joachimkoenen3952 2 года назад +1

      You didn't missed the 20 years, of course! 🤣

  • @duckyjp17
    @duckyjp17 2 года назад +453

    The best part of RUclips is watching and learning from people who are incredibly passionate about their subject matter. This is why I love this channel.

    • @johnconnelly4053
      @johnconnelly4053 2 года назад

      0

    • @ronaldpoe3305
      @ronaldpoe3305 2 года назад

      There is no good part of u tub. Nothing...

    • @vedantsridhar8378
      @vedantsridhar8378 2 года назад

      Hi Rocks are rocks if you eat too much rocks you get very fat

    • @shothud
      @shothud 2 года назад

      Ioo

    • @Aaaaa-hw6iz
      @Aaaaa-hw6iz 2 года назад

      😭😂🤦🏻if this ain’t her mom then u really need a life kid. Like really

  • @adammanneh4692
    @adammanneh4692 2 года назад +499

    It's cool to be alive at this point in history, in terms of the potential discoveries thanks to the power of this Telescope!

    • @Hossak
      @Hossak 2 года назад +9

      Definitely! Everything about this telescope is phenomenal, technically, engineering-wise, scope of its potential discoveries as well. Well worth the price!

    • @AkashdeepSingh-zv1uq
      @AkashdeepSingh-zv1uq 2 года назад +6

      No yet bro it will 6 month to start functioning might be you or me will die in meantime lol 😂

    • @happymaui
      @happymaui 2 года назад +2

      @@AkashdeepSingh-zv1uq whack-a-mole

    • @happymaui
      @happymaui 2 года назад

      Love that you actually worked on the JW project...

    • @TrickOrRetreat
      @TrickOrRetreat 2 года назад +2

      Heard today that Nasa started a project planning a refuel of JW in the future. JW cannot be maintained but apparently it can be refueled. And yes, this is the biggest deal in my lifetime. The knowledge we can obtain is beyond imagination at this point.

  • @danilooliveira6580
    @danilooliveira6580 2 года назад +93

    something I find fascinating that I just found out recently, is that the fact that the top side of the telescope is so cold, it lets them use superconducting materials to reduce weight without the need of extra components. also the flap in the back is a stabilizer that uses photon pressure to help reduce fuel usage, its basically a small solar sail. the level of technology in this thing is awesome.

    • @jameshausermann8801
      @jameshausermann8801 2 года назад

      P

    • @jameshausermann8801
      @jameshausermann8801 2 года назад

      P

    • @bigdawg7703
      @bigdawg7703 2 года назад +1

      Yeah. Nano Tech is changing the world right under our feet today. The possibilities for space exploration are in its infancy stage. Hold on and enjoy the ride. It's going to be fun.

    • @ccgarciab
      @ccgarciab 2 года назад +1

      That's insanely cool

    • @kalidilerious
      @kalidilerious 2 года назад

      On behalf of the american tax payers... your welcome.

  • @peterbondy
    @peterbondy 2 года назад +91

    They’ve done a brilliant job designing and building Webb. It’s a masterpiece of engineering and science.

    • @GeneralKenobi69420
      @GeneralKenobi69420 2 года назад +14

      And yet it still costed less than a TENTH of that of the Apollo program after inflation. Sometimes I wonder where humanity would be today if the budget of the Pentagon and NASA for the last 20 years had been swapped instead...

    • @peterbondy
      @peterbondy 2 года назад +5

      @@GeneralKenobi69420 ain’t that the truth!

    • @JackKing12.
      @JackKing12. 2 года назад +4

      That is real rocket science 👍

    • @TheNicestAssholeYouWillNvrMeet
      @TheNicestAssholeYouWillNvrMeet 2 года назад

      @@GeneralKenobi69420ruclips.net/video/xciCJfbTvE4/видео.html

    • @TheNicestAssholeYouWillNvrMeet
      @TheNicestAssholeYouWillNvrMeet 2 года назад

      @@JackKing12. no it isn't, this is...
      ruclips.net/video/xciCJfbTvE4/видео.html

  • @Hossak
    @Hossak 2 года назад +382

    As someone has pointed out, this telescope will be able to observe 100% of the time, Hubble spends over 60% of its time avoiding the sun and heat.

    • @rclarkebeckett603
      @rclarkebeckett603 2 года назад +5

      But it can only observe 10% of the universe where as Hubble..

    • @teddyruxpin3811
      @teddyruxpin3811 2 года назад +71

      @@rclarkebeckett603 Webb revolves around the sun so to observe the other half of the universe, we just have to wait 6 months.

    • @mduckernz
      @mduckernz 2 года назад +48

      @@rclarkebeckett603 What is this 10% figure? What do you mean by this?
      Because JWST can see the entire sky over the course of a year, and iirc something like 40% of the sky every day (the exact shape of the stripe of possible orientations depends on where it is in its orbit)
      Moreover, because it can see through space dust, it can see more of the things in that sky, too.

    • @samhawkes6597
      @samhawkes6597 2 года назад +3

      @@mduckernz he probably means the telescope sees only in the infrared wavelength,

    • @esquilax5563
      @esquilax5563 2 года назад +34

      @@samhawkes6597 infrared is a much wider part of the spectrum than visible though. Hubble just sees in visible and a little bit into IR and UV

  • @moritakaishida7963
    @moritakaishida7963 2 года назад +125

    Sometimes I feel like things are becoming meaningless ,especially during the pandemic ,but realising that I get to find out what the beggining of our universe's existence was like thanks to the James webb telescope if everything goes as planned , in my lifetime, gives me some hope

    • @TheHarrip
      @TheHarrip 2 года назад +4

      Well bloody said 👍🇬🇧

    • @nathanbell6962
      @nathanbell6962 2 года назад +1

      Meaning was created by God and even a glimpse is overwhelming

    • @aemrt5745
      @aemrt5745 2 года назад +4

      All of our lives are precious and of infinite value. Your life has meaning and purpose.

    • @DW_Kiwi
      @DW_Kiwi 2 года назад

      Hope in "what"? That man will now start to "stuff" up his next endeavour

    • @DW_Kiwi
      @DW_Kiwi 2 года назад +1

      @@nathanbell6962 Where is that in the bible??

  • @ghytd766
    @ghytd766 2 года назад +157

    I work at a laundromat, and even many of us blue collar workers feel the same way you do.
    Thanks for the video, I truly feel the same emotions you do on this rollout !!!
    CAN'T WAIT for the JWST version of the Ultra Deepfield !!!

    • @DavidAWA
      @DavidAWA 2 года назад +11

      And it's amazing to think it belongs to all of us. Everyone who likes science, was inspired by space and/or pays taxes, shares in this incredible accomplishment.

    • @Hossak
      @Hossak 2 года назад +4

      The excitement is quite infectious! When normally staid astronomers and astrophysicists get animated about something, you know it is a big deal. No insult meant for all the scientists out there, just a fun stereotype, I know you guys are (mostly) normal.

    • @rodnee2340
      @rodnee2340 2 года назад +10

      I work in a factory. I feel the same. Can't wait to see what this telescope can do. Hubble was a game changer, and the images were awesome.

    • @StaticBlaster
      @StaticBlaster 2 года назад +6

      @@rodnee2340 I work at a paper manufacturing plant. I'm one of the crib attendants. It's a pretty good job. Plus I work three days and get three days off.

    • @rhussein2639
      @rhussein2639 2 года назад +3

      What matters is to be the master of what you do

  • @jonjames4281
    @jonjames4281 2 года назад +77

    I was so happy with the secondary mirror deployment. I thought at this point even if something else didn't go quite right, they'd still be able to use jwst even if it's limited. Could be wrong but now I believe it's all going work out. Admittedly I had given up hope years back. It's been in the making since I was 30, I just turned 60. Hell of a birthday present. There's people who've worked on this project for their whole career. Can't wait to see what's to come out of it.

    • @vedantsridhar8378
      @vedantsridhar8378 2 года назад +1

      Hey do you play galaxy shooter? If JWST discovers alien civilization, I hope we never get to fight them like in the galaxy shooter game

    • @two2truths
      @two2truths 2 года назад

      Dang! People got old during the development of this thing? Wild

    • @pinkdispatcher
      @pinkdispatcher 2 года назад +1

      Yes, I think it was even a more-or-less official statement that said "We now have a functioning telescope". If the primary mirror wings would have failed to unfold, it would have been missing a third of its light-collecting capability with very slightly reduced horizontal resolution (but basically full vertical resolution), but (given that the multi-month calibration works) it would still have been far superior to anything else in infrared.

  • @thomas316
    @thomas316 2 года назад +29

    As an Engineer when things go right I love to turn to people who are as deeply invested as I am and say:
    "Crazy, I didn't really believe that'd work!" 😊

    • @errolprice9654
      @errolprice9654 2 года назад +8

      I'm in construction and I do similar with the nervous client after completing a tricky and expensive job .
      " That went well for a fist attempt "
      Naughty

    • @bigdawg7703
      @bigdawg7703 2 года назад +1

      Most people have no idea how Nano Tech is changing the world as we know it. We are talking amazing changes in medical, science, energy and a whole host of possibilities. I envy the young people and hope they can enjoy the positive experience that Nano Tech brings in the next 5 or 6 decades.

    • @TechnoMageB5
      @TechnoMageB5 2 года назад

      Hear hear.
      I work in IT. The number of operations (personal and overseen) that went perfect on the 1st attempt in my near 3 decades career I can count with one hand. There's almost _always_ something that doesn't go quite right.

    • @pinkdispatcher
      @pinkdispatcher 2 года назад

      @@TechnoMageB5 Then of course, IT people can count to 31 with the fingers of one hand, and 31 successful projects that worked on the first attempt is not a bad career.

    • @jwaustinmunguy
      @jwaustinmunguy 2 года назад +1

      My youngest brother was a nuclear safety engineer. He would have said that if he'd thought of it.

  • @wild_lee_coyote
    @wild_lee_coyote 2 года назад +143

    The reason that the fuel and the launch was so important comes down to the thrusters. To protect the telescope and instruments there are no thrusters on the dark telescope side of the JWST. And because of the sensitivity of the telescope there is no way to flip it around and thrust back sunward without destroying the telescope. This means if the Ariane rocket overshot the trajectory the telescope was lost. Undershoot it and a lot of fuel was going to be needed to raise the telescope to the correct orbit. What they did was nail a hole in one from New York to Los Angeles on their one and only shot. With the secondary mirror deployed JWST can produce images even of the side mirrors don’t deploy, which should happen in the next couple of days. Still a lot of checks to go, so keep sending positive energy to get everything up and running for some amazing science.

    • @johnnyfearlesszrx
      @johnnyfearlesszrx 2 года назад +4

      Nicely put Coyote.
      Some people I've spoken to are wondering how it can get there and not leave L2 without a retro burn.
      The way I understand (and to put it in simple terms) it is the telescope has been thrown straight up instead of orbiting the Earth first. This allows it to coast to a stop and 'fall' into L2 without the need to actively slow down.
      I'm guessing it will overshoot just a little and as it falls back, a small burn will be required to settle it into the final L2 position.
      The above is referring to L2 as a distance from the Earth and Sun to be simple but as we know, the JWST will actually be taking a large elliptical orbit around L2 taking around 6 months to complete.

    • @owensmith7530
      @owensmith7530 2 года назад +7

      That is not correct. If Arianne had over performed there would have been no way to correct it as you state. But what you missed is that ensure over performance was impossible, Arianne deliberately under performed ie left JWST with some thrusting to do. If Arianne had given more thrust than expected the MCC1 burn from JWST would have been shorter than planned but the mission would not have been lost. If Arianne had given less thrust than expected the MCC1 burn from JWST would have been longer than planned to make up the difference, but in the worst case that would have reduced the life of JWST to 5 years. In the event Arianne delivered exactly the planned under performance, making MCC1 burn from JWST about 1 hour, and giving this healthy remaining fuel for a greater than 10 year mission.

    • @KristinaUSA-x5n
      @KristinaUSA-x5n 2 года назад +4

      Hole in One.

    • @mal2ksc
      @mal2ksc 2 года назад

      You want a clutch shot to compare it to? How about a 250 foot throw-in at the Disc Golf World Championship? ruclips.net/video/MD--1Hoc_h0/видео.html

    • @alainrobillard4300
      @alainrobillard4300 2 года назад +6

      @@johnnyfearlesszrx
      The JWST is not launched straight up, but is launched in an very eccentric elliptical orbit, and its apogee is a little bit short to L2. (Without correction, it would continue on the orbit and return near the earth)
      . But the final engine burn will push forward the telescope in order to insert it into an halo orbit around L2.
      The key word here is "never have to brake". To brake, they would need to reverse the attitude of the telescope, thus exposing the cold side to the sun. A no no.
      The reason for not orbiting around the earth after the launch was to not cross the shadow of the earth. Brutal change in temperature would have been harmful for the scientific instruments. Moreover, the solar pannels don't work in the darkness.

  • @witherwings8128
    @witherwings8128 2 года назад +74

    There's something so exciting about being here anticipating the new data that will be uncovered and what it means for astrophysics, there's so much we don't know and so much we could potentially learn thanks to James Webb.

    • @danilooliveira6580
      @danilooliveira6580 2 года назад +3

      there is a chance that some of the first data will be released around my birthday, so that is awesome

    • @danielcostello4064
      @danielcostello4064 2 года назад +3

      I doubt they’ll reveal anything for a long long time

  • @eriktempelman2097
    @eriktempelman2097 2 года назад +154

    Isn"t it amazing what we humans can accomplish when we work together?
    Perhaps we can do this more often :-)

    • @fillhixx
      @fillhixx 2 года назад +18

      If we can get everyone to look up…..

    • @fossforever512
      @fossforever512 2 года назад +14

      Nah we can do this more often, people are too focused on being brainwashed by the news and social media so they will fight over trivial things like religion, race, sex etc instead of focusing on what’s important like solving actual problems facing all of us, and getting settlements off planet to lower the chances of human extinction

    • @MyKharli
      @MyKharli 2 года назад +6

      for less than the price of annual american pet care products expenditure too !

    • @ryanmiller5473
      @ryanmiller5473 2 года назад

      @@fillhixx that movie is a parody of itself.

    • @peterbondy
      @peterbondy 2 года назад +3

      @@ryanmiller5473 well it’s definitely the best satire I’ve seen since Dr Strangelove.

  • @mryoun
    @mryoun 2 года назад +17

    Esa did an amazingly impressive job.
    They had such pressure on their shoulders, and they were able to pulled it off in such a manner.
    I believe they're not getting the recognition they truly deserve.
    Even NASA was amazed.
    Really wondefull job Esa. Well done!

    • @jjbudinski8486
      @jjbudinski8486 2 года назад +3

      Big time, this is a team effort and just getting JWST into space properly was a massive part of the entire mission. Also, that rocket took off like a bottle rocket, it was nuts to see how fast it accelerated off the pad!

  • @joyl7842
    @joyl7842 2 года назад +8

    So proud of our ESA and Arianespace!
    Fantastic work meaning JWST can do so much more science.

  • @oldmanfunky4909
    @oldmanfunky4909 2 года назад +61

    I was a junior in high school when Hubble launched in 1990 and recall the infamous mirror error and how the media ( much like they do today ) went on the attack. So with that in the back of my mind I hope all goes well for the JWST because who doesn't want to learn more about the mysteries of the universe! It's been said that the first thing JWST will do is aim at the same point that hubble did its ultra deep view so we can see what I assume will be a mind blowing difference. I can't wait to see THAT picture! Fingers crossed.

    • @villipend
      @villipend 2 года назад +6

      Well they were RIGHT to go on the attack. Such a mistake was inexcusable. It wasn't like a component failed. It was MADE wrong!

    • @executivesteps
      @executivesteps 2 года назад +8

      I think a lot of engineers and scientists were pissed off too when it was discovered that the Hubble mirror wasn’t properly figured - not just “the media”.

    • @batlrar
      @batlrar 2 года назад +8

      I was quite a bit younger, but I definitely remember all of the jokes on late night TV about Hubble not being able to see properly, so I always associated "Hubble" with a telescope that sees blurry pictures until I started seeking out science info on my own. So yeah, it's amazing how much negative press can affect people's perceptions if they don't regularly look into science news on their own! I can only imagine how many other people out there still make the same association.

    • @villipend
      @villipend 2 года назад +5

      @@batlrar Well they had to launch a mission to fix it. Yeah they were able to still do science with flawed telescope but that paled to what was done after the fix.(incredible achievement)

    • @michaelt.5672
      @michaelt.5672 2 года назад +9

      To me (who entered school about 10 years later), the story of Hubble always had two sides: The terrible blunder of the warped mirror, and the incredible fact that it was fixed in space.
      Not too bad of a legacy if you ask me.

  • @sevennvd
    @sevennvd 2 года назад +8

    This channel is so good, and it only grows better over the years. Thank you for what you do Dr. Becky, your excitement for space and science is such a joy to watch!

  • @petermainwaringsx
    @petermainwaringsx 2 года назад +12

    As someone who has been interested in space since, as a young child, I saw photos of nebula and galaxies in an encyclopedia seventy odd years ago this has been a nerve wracking experience only equalled by launch of Alan Shepard, through the Gemini & Apollo missions and all the manned flights I've witnessed since. I'll be glad when the JWST gets to L2 and we can all start relax a bit and wait for first light.

  • @TeckGK
    @TeckGK 2 года назад

    I have such a great adoration for anyone who is smart enough to understand this degree of science. You're all amazing and we can do great things together. Don't let resistance get you down, fight for progress.

  • @jessebrill5306
    @jessebrill5306 2 года назад +2

    I love learning about this stuff but it makes it so much easier learning from Dr.Becky.

  • @jcbstn77
    @jcbstn77 2 года назад +49

    I literally would never have known or cared about this had I not found your channel, and now I've been watching the livestream for weeks. I can't wait to see it's first images!

    • @Hossak
      @Hossak 2 года назад +1

      It is going to be awesome, just be aware that unlike the Hubble, James Webb is primarily for the longer wave lengths and it does not include the visible light spectrum from what I have read. However they will no doubt colourise the images to bring them back to what you would see if you were closer to the objects in question. That said, it will be see such wavelengths in clarity that has never been seen before in our history. It will literally be like being blind and then seeing for the first time, so many objects that have remained hidden will be revealed so it is definitely something to get extremely excited about!

    • @stevencoardvenice
      @stevencoardvenice 2 года назад

      @@Hossak
      Yeah I have no science or engineering background apart from general education, and watching star trek. But from what I understand, we will be seeing infra red images of the first stars and galaxies forming 13 billion yes ago, on the other side of the universe. They will be able to adjust the images so that our eyes can understand what we're looking at
      We will also be able to see nebulas and proto planetary discs, solar systems forming.

    • @Hossak
      @Hossak 2 года назад

      @@stevencoardvenice That is my understanding as well, amazing things. Fingers crossed that everything goes to plan, the data pouring out of this thing should be outstanding. Consider that this telescope has been decades in the making. The risky stuff associated with its deployment just shows to what lengths they are going to to obtain that data.

  • @TH3mrBROWN
    @TH3mrBROWN 2 года назад +24

    You and Scott Manley are my favorite people to watch for space news!

    • @Dave-ct1jk
      @Dave-ct1jk 2 года назад +5

      Fly safe

    • @chrisantoniou4366
      @chrisantoniou4366 2 года назад +1

      Watch Dr Becky... listen to Scott Manley... 😉

    • @dtrjones
      @dtrjones 2 года назад +1

      I think Becky is brilliant, she breaks it down so well with such enthusiasm. I guess I'm just a little slow because no matter how hard Scott tries to explain everything it's still a struggle to understand what he's saying - and that's nothing to do with the Scottish accent!

  • @primoroy
    @primoroy 2 года назад +22

    I have lived thru Sputnik, Apollo, Space Shuttle, and Hubble (baby steps)! I am so happy for you and your career of science discovery with these new instruments (true walking)! Happy New Year! 😊

    • @hewhowatchesthewatcher8711
      @hewhowatchesthewatcher8711 2 года назад +2

      It’s truly wonderful to have a lifetime to experience big historic events. I admire the older generations about they view things upon life (By the way, this is coming from a guy who is probably half your age).

    • @primoroy
      @primoroy 2 года назад +1

      @@hewhowatchesthewatcher8711 I feel the same way about the Greatest Generation before me that saw the world recover from a great depression and World War. 🖖

    • @hewhowatchesthewatcher8711
      @hewhowatchesthewatcher8711 2 года назад +1

      @@primoroy Perfectly understandable.

  • @nazukeoya
    @nazukeoya 2 года назад +1

    A buddy of mine was an engineer on JWST out at Northrop Grumman in L.A., and just a few weeks before JWST was set to leave the plant for the launch location he told me he could give me a private tour. So I booked a flight and flew from Texas to California and was able to see the JWST up close in person. It was freaking MASSIVE! A beauty to behold, and being able to see in person a piece of space history was such a treat.

  • @stanleychurchill5185
    @stanleychurchill5185 2 года назад +1

    I don't know which is more exciting. Watching the unfolding of the JWST or watching Dr. Becky. She's a hoot!!!

  • @Returntotheworld
    @Returntotheworld 2 года назад +13

    Glad you posted this as hoping you’d comment on its progress so far. It’s been one of the most exciting space missions I’ve known in a very long time!

  • @georgiacrossley2274
    @georgiacrossley2274 2 года назад +5

    I’ve been checking the NASA app morning, noon and night and watching it *literally* unfold and it’s just incredible! Thank you for this update, you really are a role model to me and you have helped me stay motivated to study and keep on working! I love what you do, thanks again! :)

    • @DrBecky
      @DrBecky  2 года назад +2

      Thanks Georgia 🥰 glad I could help!

  • @darthvirgin7157
    @darthvirgin7157 2 года назад +35

    thank you ESA for doing such a perfect job in launching JWST.
    now all we need is a robotic refurbishing mission in 10-15 years to repair JWST to extend its life even further. also a good opportunity to develop robotic repair capabilities for such remote platforms.
    at this posting, the only instrument deployment left is the primary mirror. once both sides are unfolded and each of the 18 mirror segments are adjusted for focus, the only thing left is the L2 orbit insertion.

    • @brettpatching
      @brettpatching 2 года назад +5

      I agree: the launch coudn't have been more precise. Thank you Arianespace! At the NASA press conference with the lead heat shield engineers Tuesday after successful tensioning, they said the service life the shield was designed for was 11 years. Micrometeorite hits will slowly reduce the effectiveness of the shield, and they hope that it deteriorates gracefully i.e. no massive hits. Micrometeorite hits will also damage the main mirror over time. That's the disadvantage of an exposed mirror design. I'm sure the mission scientists will be able to compensate for this, but Webb is so fragile, and the mirrors & instruments so precisely tuned that I don't think Webb would be a candidate for a robotic refurbishment or refueling mission.

    • @peterbondy
      @peterbondy 2 года назад

      True, but add to the list switching on the instruments.

    • @pafnutiytheartist
      @pafnutiytheartist 2 года назад +5

      The main limiting factor for jwst's lifetime is fuel. Since it wasn't originally built for being refueled in space, it's really hard to do it. It would be cheaper to send a brand new telescope, compared to a robot that can refurbish and refuel the old one in orbit. Not to mention, in 15 years we would probably have better technology for building even better telescopes. It's why we aren't repairing the Hubble again instead of launching JWST.

    • @twotrackjack2260
      @twotrackjack2260 2 года назад

      @@pafnutiytheartist From what I remember hearing , I believe the next space telescope is already well into the design stages at least.

    • @peterkelley6344
      @peterkelley6344 2 года назад +2

      Actually I was thinking that maybe it could be joined by a James Webb II on the other side of the Lagrange orbit to create the Largest known telescope.

  • @obsidian....
    @obsidian.... 2 года назад +2

    I love that people around the world use the royal "we" when it comes to NASA projects 👍.
    It's really is heartening to know that we can still act/function like one big community of human beings when we want to.

    • @grantc61
      @grantc61 2 года назад

      ESA launched it and hundreds (if not thousands) of people from other countries made it possible. The use of "we" is simply a possessive pronoun - there's nothing "royal" about it.

  • @stephenmurray2335
    @stephenmurray2335 2 года назад +1

    Hi Dr Becky this is the first of your videos I've seen and just wanted to say thanks for sharing your knowledge, passion and enthusiasm. Information and entertainment in equal measure is a rare thing - subscribed!

    • @DrBecky
      @DrBecky  2 года назад

      Thank you! And welcome 👋

  • @TheOwlman
    @TheOwlman 2 года назад +75

    I for one will be glad when the JWST deployment is complete on Saturday. This mission, with its many potential single point failures, has been a nail biter from the moment the ascent engine ignited. Great news that the fuel saving in the early stages has the potential to significantly extend the mission lifetime.

    • @donepearce
      @donepearce 2 года назад +1

      There is still the burn to put it into Earth orbit (can everybody please stop saying it is a solar orbit?). Without that it will turn round and come straight back again.

    • @jsalsman
      @jsalsman 2 года назад +7

      @@donepearce it's the Earth-Sun L2 point, in an orbit around the sun.

    • @olencone4005
      @olencone4005 2 года назад +5

      ​@@donepearce According to NASA, on the "About Webb Orbit" page, "The James Webb Space Telescope will not be in orbit around the Earth, like the Hubble Space Telescope is - it will actually orbit the Sun, 1.5 million kilometers (1 million miles) away from the Earth at what is called the second Lagrange point or L2. What is special about this orbit is that it lets the telescope stay in line with the Earth as it moves around the Sun. This allows the satellite's large sunshield to protect the telescope from the light and heat of the Sun and Earth (and Moon)."

    • @donepearce
      @donepearce 2 года назад

      @@olencone4005 That was an attempt to make a public-friendly analogy that people could "understand". If the JWST did not orbit the earth, then six months from now it would be on the sun side. And of course it could not remain there. It can remain on the side furthest from the sun BECAUSE" it is in an earth orbit with a period of one year. It goes round the earth at the same rate the earth goes round the sun. It is a shame NASA chose to do this, because the public still don't understand how this works, and the rest of us are pissed off at the misinformation.

    • @TheOwlman
      @TheOwlman 2 года назад

      @@donepearce Agreed, but the countless motors, levers and wires will have done their thing, so there will at least be a completely functional telescope just waiting to be inserted into its halo orbit and a failure to burn is the least likely event.

  • @fizyknaut8108
    @fizyknaut8108 2 года назад +10

    *HOUSTON, WE HAVE A TELESCOOOOOPEEEE!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOO!!*
    🥳🥳🥳

  • @HouTexHemi
    @HouTexHemi 2 года назад +46

    Suggestion: could you create a video that talks about how telescope time is awarded for this telescope? The proposal, review, and decision process, etc. How much time has already been allocated? Another one that I'd like to hear about is specifically how does the telescope (or HST for that matter) manage its pointing and light integration. I'm amazed at how something like the Hubble, which is traveling at ~18k mph and experiencing Earth eclipse periods and extreme thermal cycles can be pointed to such a precise degree to do something like a deep field image. The amount of time integration seems impossible to achieve. Is it a combination of hardware pointing and software correction for any misalignments?

    • @DrBecky
      @DrBecky  2 года назад +12

      Sure! It’s fairly similar for all telescopes and I spoke about my efforts to get time on the VLT in my day in the life of an astrophysicist in lockdown video 👍

    • @rdaltry777
      @rdaltry777 2 года назад +4

      Now throw in the time differential due to relativity - the clocks on the scopes don't match up with the ones in Mission Control, so there's one more calculation to deal with!

    • @peterbondy
      @peterbondy 2 года назад +5

      The precision they get from reaction wheel control is beyond mind blowing to me. The people who work out how to do it all are so incredibly smart.

    • @MrGeoffHilton
      @MrGeoffHilton 2 года назад +3

      It's not rocket science... Oh sorry it is! 😊

  • @space_1073
    @space_1073 2 года назад +5

    People like you make me hopeful for humanity. even with a lot happening in the world we still have time and resources to look beyond.

  • @michaelmize1155
    @michaelmize1155 2 года назад +3

    I thought you might like to hear about the Processing of Hubble when I worked on the Space Shuttle Program. We had very tight levels of cleanliness dealing with the Shuttle Program but Hubble was a very, very demanding level. We wore what we called "Bunny Suits" when dealing with servicing of the Payload area. These were made I think of nylon and were allocated from our "Tool Room" so they were kept at an optimal cleanliness. As I had a mustache my "suit" only had "the Eyes" uncovered. For Hubble tape was used to cover my eyebrows so that almost no chance of contamination of cargo was possible. After 3 shifts I no longer had eyebrows. NASA made it's errors when grinding the Mirror but those of us who handled the Payload on the ground were successful in delivering a "Clean" Payload to the Pad.

  • @frustbox
    @frustbox 2 года назад +8

    With the secondary mirror in place we have a functioning telescope. Even if the 6 remaining mirror segments somehow fail to unfold, we'd have at least 12 segments of the primary mirror in place. It would probably reduce the sensitivity, but at least we got something. If the secondary mirror had failed to deploy all we'd have is a very expensive mirror in space.
    This is the best kind of news from JWST. With how many possible points of failure there were, I was most worried about the sun shield, it's seriously amazing how smoothly this all worked. There was a tiny issue with a sensor that didn't signal the sun shield cover unwrapping, but they used other signals (vibrations from the motors, possibly power draw and such) to determine the step had succeeded.
    What a fun time to be alive.

    • @kevinjbakertribe
      @kevinjbakertribe 2 года назад

      Thanks for the info - I was going to ask if that was the case :)

    • @chrisantoniou4366
      @chrisantoniou4366 2 года назад +2

      True, but having said that, let's hope the other six segments unfold successfully. 🤞

    • @skypatrol716
      @skypatrol716 2 года назад

      A "thank you" was extended to my employer who passed it along to employees that they had used our full scale JWST test model built many years ago to walk through that sensor issue.

  • @psurob14
    @psurob14 2 года назад +6

    On a ground level the engineering that went into this project makes me proud of human kind. That being said, I am so excited by the prospect of new science, things we have not thought of coming to light with the new data much like the incredibly awesome Hubble Deep Fields. What will the James Webb Telescope bring us to further our understanding? I can't wait...

  • @jasong546
    @jasong546 2 года назад +15

    I have been surprised how invested I felt in the launch, how concerned I felt, and how very excited I was by it. I have always been an enthusiast of astronomy and physics, but I felt more about this than anything in the past. I didn’t know that the life of it would be increased this way, it’s awesome news thanks!

    • @angusmullins511
      @angusmullins511 2 года назад +1

      Same here. I attribute it to a nexus of the telescope’s fantastic mission scope and of receiving this info through historically unique social media.

  • @frogstamper
    @frogstamper 2 года назад +2

    05:51 Excellent subtitles here Dr Becks, I'm sure I'm not the only one who wondered why there wasn't an on board camera filming the un-folding process...you think of everything.:)

  • @richardrodgers758
    @richardrodgers758 2 года назад

    The instant I started listening to Dr. Becky, I knew to hit the Subscribe button. Passionate, smart as a whip --- she is ON IT! And she has a coffee cup too. My kind of lady.

  • @Strfg858
    @Strfg858 2 года назад +4

    The last adjustments will still take time: align the mirrors, let the whole system cool down so that the telescope can observe correctly, and then you will have to turn on all the instruments on board. All this will take about 6 months. In June, we could have the first images of the cosmos

  • @finregan9322
    @finregan9322 2 года назад +3

    I love that mustard and white cushion.....

  • @unmatort
    @unmatort 2 года назад +4

    Thanks Dr. Becky for a new video, everyone has been holding their breath on the James Webb.

    • @susanne5803
      @susanne5803 2 года назад

      Still holding ...

    • @eyesuckle
      @eyesuckle 2 года назад

      Especially James Webb--who is *really* good at holding his breath!

  • @Kualinar
    @Kualinar 2 года назад +2

    What a wonderful time. You have every reasons to be exited, as are millions of astronomers and astrophysicists all around the world.
    I remember that life sized model set up in Montréal's Old Port nearly 30 years ago.

  • @evolvedape9171
    @evolvedape9171 2 года назад

    Dr. Becky, your enthusiasm is contagious. Two thumbs up.

  • @drshoe8744
    @drshoe8744 2 года назад +4

    *I've been following the progress of JWST for a looooong time and like millions of others breathed a deep sigh of relief seeing that rocket clear the atmosphere, especially after all the launch date push-backs! Now I can hardly wait for first light!*

    • @poli67a70
      @poli67a70 2 года назад +1

      Yes. With it's 140 release mechanisms, 70 hinge assemblies, eight deployment motors, bearings, springs, gears, about 400 pulleys and 90 cables I was almost sure SOMETHING would get stuck or go wrong. There's a LOT of vibration and stress during liftoff that can shake something loose.
      Soooo glad that part is over and went perfectly.

  • @in3432
    @in3432 2 года назад +26

    I am an engineer, what they have achieved is amazing. I am in awe.

    • @tabularasa0606
      @tabularasa0606 2 года назад +5

      It's a beautiful feat of engineering.

    • @robertw1871
      @robertw1871 2 года назад +3

      It’s not over yet, fingers crossed…. EE here and still nervous…

    • @ShishakliAus
      @ShishakliAus 2 года назад +2

      I am a sanitation technician, what they have achieved is amazing. I am in awe.

    • @peterbondy
      @peterbondy 2 года назад +1

      It’s an engineering masterpiece.

    • @robertw1871
      @robertw1871 2 года назад

      @@Sidowse Silly Putty Formulating Engineer. 😀

  • @tesIa.Iives.on.24
    @tesIa.Iives.on.24 2 года назад +7

    I can't even collimate my own 10" telescope to satisfaction! When (if) they get it right I'll be so super awed.

    • @glenchapman3899
      @glenchapman3899 2 года назад +1

      I got goosebumps when NASA announced "We have a telescope" just after the secondary mirror aligned successfully.

  • @Jayraj073
    @Jayraj073 2 года назад +1

    Dr. Becky, its awesome to see someone so enthusiastic about this. Makes me feel like a kid in science class again. I cant wait to see the images from the telescope!

  • @YIFYPIRATE786
    @YIFYPIRATE786 2 года назад

    Could listen all day to Dr Becky, no matter what subject she was talking about!

  • @MountainHobbler
    @MountainHobbler 2 года назад +5

    I heard that the mirrors can be adjusted at the rate grass grows. Friccin amazing!

  • @StaticBlaster
    @StaticBlaster 2 года назад +7

    1:25 The launch went phe"nominally" well.

  • @FoxtrotYouniform
    @FoxtrotYouniform 2 года назад +8

    This is possibly the greatest thing humans have ever done in space. Seriously, Webb is right there with the ISS, Hubble, Voyagers, and landing on the moon.

  • @christianlibertarian5488
    @christianlibertarian5488 2 года назад +1

    Mega kudos to the EASA team. Magnificent precision, incredible professionalism. Sets a high standard.

  • @davidobrien8257
    @davidobrien8257 2 года назад

    I love how excited you get about these things. You make science sound like fun!

  • @rayoflight62
    @rayoflight62 2 года назад +3

    Happy New Year!
    Loved your analogy of the JWST with a double-decker bus parked in a tennis court... It renders the idea of the size and proportion of the telescope incredibly well.
    The upper stage of the Ariane rocket conducted the trajectory injection in an unbelievably precise manner; a testament to the admirable level of design and technology achieved by the Ariane launcher. The side effect of all of this, is that almost all of the fuel provisions for course correction is now available for station keeping, effectively doubling the service life of the James Webb Space Telescope.
    Looking forward for the first paradigm - shifting astronomical observation made with the JWST.
    Regards,

  • @creativedesignation7880
    @creativedesignation7880 2 года назад +3

    I watched the live stream of the unfolding of the heat shields. Sadly the strongest impression on me was made by people in chat, who were (or at least pretended to be) interested in the telescope, but then asked questions answered in the first paragraph of the wikipedia article.
    I don't know if looking things up is just no longer a thing anymore, I just know I was a bit devastated. I can not wrap my head around the contradiction of wanting to know something that can easily be looked up online and then, despite being in front of an internet connected deveice, just not doing it and instead spamming ignorance at a scientist...
    This kind of thing makes me wonder, if science alone cuts it. What worth has knowledge, if the vast majority of people don't attain it, despite having immediate access and seemingly wanting to understand?
    I don't blame people for not understanding something, but this level of lack of action makes me picture a starving person electing to die, because they would need to get up in order to go to the fridge...

    • @miaomiaochan
      @miaomiaochan 2 года назад

      Social media has ruined everything.

  • @john_michael_white
    @john_michael_white 2 года назад +6

    It's just so exciting! As well as the first stars and exoplanets, can the JWST be used to map properly the arms of our galaxy hidden to us by the dust between us and the stars there?

    • @larstruelsen2483
      @larstruelsen2483 2 года назад +1

      Potientially. A lot of the "dust" is blocking visible light frequencies. With JWST working in the infrared spectrum, I suppose it can better look through it.

    • @john_michael_white
      @john_michael_white 2 года назад

      @@larstruelsen2483 That was my thinking, I just don't know if I'm missing something, or if there are higher priorities with even the extended mission time. :)

  • @poojakashyap6608
    @poojakashyap6608 2 года назад +1

    Your enthusiasm is contagious :)
    Thank you for your updates. I see your vides first and then check out NASA's website. Keep up the good work rolling 👍

  • @ravenmoon5111
    @ravenmoon5111 2 года назад +2

    The Webb is probably the most complex unmanned device ever put into space. This is a moment NASA and the ESA should be proud of

  • @42ZaphodB42
    @42ZaphodB42 2 года назад +4

    And then comes the moment everyone realizes a giant space-pigeon pooped on a mirror.

  • @Ensign_Redshirt
    @Ensign_Redshirt 2 года назад +16

    Stopping at some traffic lights last night my family had chance to look into the sky. I correctly pointed out that there was a beautiful toenail moon. My daughter declared it to be a Banana shaped moon. Is this an acceptable alternative?

    • @DrBecky
      @DrBecky  2 года назад +15

      I’ll allow it 🍌

  • @Waylanification
    @Waylanification 2 года назад +3

    Imagine being alive when/If NASA announces that life has been discovered outside our solarsystem.

    • @txmike1945
      @txmike1945 2 года назад +2

      NASA will not announce that life has been discovered. As powerful as Webb is it cannot detect life directly, only indicators that a planet might have conditions to support some form of life.

    • @metatechnologist
      @metatechnologist 2 года назад

      Yea no. You're clueless. Please dig up the video "alien horror kurzgesagt" and learn about the dark forest.

    • @metatechnologist
      @metatechnologist 2 года назад

      @@txmike1945 Yea I'm sure that there are a few scientists that intellectually masturbate with the thought we'll be detecting "alien smog" on other planets!!

  • @jimmyb101
    @jimmyb101 2 года назад

    Your excitement is a wonder to behold. Your passion for future exploration, timeless. Hat off

  • @hoboogre8023
    @hoboogre8023 2 года назад

    I love your updates and your enthusiasm. It's good to know we're still taking important steps. Thank you, Dr. Bekcy.

  • @MisterTee2010
    @MisterTee2010 2 года назад

    Incredible video, as always. Great news that TJWST will last longer than expected. I will be 64 this year. Been interested in space exploration all my life. This is a milestone for me 🤗🥰

  • @johnsmith9403
    @johnsmith9403 2 года назад

    Despite all the lunacy going on the world right now, every once in a while, we are reminded that we are in the 21st century. Keep up the great work Dr. Becky!

  • @pbezunartea
    @pbezunartea 2 года назад

    Your enthusiasm is so contagious! Thank you!

  • @AnthonyWilliams-ew3wp
    @AnthonyWilliams-ew3wp 2 года назад +1

    This whole effort makes me terribly proud of human ingenuity. And very optimistic about the future. Money well spent imo.

  • @mv11000
    @mv11000 2 года назад

    Been waiting for your JWST update Dr B, thanx and best wishes for 2022!

  • @amtreasure45
    @amtreasure45 2 года назад

    So exciting! I love getting the updates from your channel specifically - thanks for doing what you do.

  • @tonyboutwell2544
    @tonyboutwell2544 2 года назад

    Just purchased you book in Audible format. I was delighted to hear you voiced the book. Your love of science is so charming and will definitely help inspire future generations of astrophysicists. :)

  • @greywolf0167
    @greywolf0167 2 года назад

    i like how this lady explains by using simple jargon to help old people like me understand ty young lady

  • @thirstfast1025
    @thirstfast1025 2 года назад

    Happy/Excited Becky always puts a smile on my face! So glad it's going so well so far! Happy New Year!

  • @joe.tiziano
    @joe.tiziano 2 года назад +2

    What an awesome achievement to all those involved, it boggles the mind (at least mine) on how humans can send a telescope into space and endure all elements of space. This is a perfect example why education is so important to our children. You have allowed children to dream and shows them anything is possible. Looking so forward in seeing what is out there in space.

    • @keirfarnum6811
      @keirfarnum6811 2 года назад

      U cain’t forse my kids too get no edjucashun, dammit! They be larnin GOD ONLEEE! 😆

  • @douglascain6404
    @douglascain6404 2 года назад

    Thank you Dr. Becky for the JWST update, you're my go to gal! Keep these videos coming.

  • @coecludd
    @coecludd 2 года назад

    Got recommended this clip and love the enthusiasm here in such an interesting project to give us all more knowledge of the universe. Subscribed 🙂

  • @jeffcolorado
    @jeffcolorado 2 года назад +1

    Thanks for keeping us informed about this amazing scientific event. Awesome stuff!

  • @abhijitmaiti3137
    @abhijitmaiti3137 2 года назад

    Feeling great to get the news the things are going well for James Webb telescope so far thanks to all team members from NASA, ESA, CSA and all other participants who are engaging for amazing instrument ❤️❤️ ❤️❤️

  • @kevink2398
    @kevink2398 2 года назад

    Dr Becky actually makes this whole thing fun and entertaining to listen the news on.

  • @jeffhgv
    @jeffhgv 2 года назад +1

    Fantastic, I’m excited although my knowledge is very limited. I can’t wait for the first data to come back in the months ahead. Love the enthusiasm of your update.

  • @jtno2
    @jtno2 2 года назад

    I can't believe that such a complex and complicated project got funded when you consider how easily it could all go wrong. Just from the way she described the process of unfolding the telescope is nerve racking! I hope the JWST gives us 15 years of amazing discoveries!

    • @executivesteps
      @executivesteps 2 года назад

      Recall it was originally “funded” at the $500 million dollar level not the ultimate $10 billion dollar level.

  • @karehaqt
    @karehaqt 2 года назад +1

    Yay JWST and well done the UK MIRI team.

  • @1g1d1w
    @1g1d1w 2 года назад +1

    I'm hooked. Loved your enthusiasm.

  • @danboyd2725
    @danboyd2725 2 года назад

    Congratulations to the Webb Team on what they've accomplished so far which has been amazing.

  • @S-I-T
    @S-I-T 2 года назад

    I'm so excited to see the huge discoveries the JWST will find. Love this channel.

  • @sophiesmith4780
    @sophiesmith4780 2 года назад +1

    I have been loving your videos, especially the days in your life ones as you are very relatable and make me feel like I could do academia too! At the moment I'm doing my dissertation on quasar-mode AGN feedback and I was able to read and reference your papers which was so cool!

  • @chrisdolan9515
    @chrisdolan9515 2 года назад

    I am SO over the moon regarding Webb!!! Kudos to the many people who have worked so hard, for so long, to make this happen!!!

  • @fuzzyaziraphale4228
    @fuzzyaziraphale4228 2 года назад +1

    Let's hope the rest of the deployment and commissioning phases go as smoothly as it has so far. That's great news about the JWST being able to operate for longer than the original projected mission life.

  • @TheGholiday
    @TheGholiday 2 года назад

    Absolutely brilliant. Love your enthusiasm. The amount of data collected will keep scientists busy for decades.

  • @brianfreeman8290
    @brianfreeman8290 2 года назад

    My excitement over the JWT is boundless. To see it reflected in your lovely face does nothing to curb my enthusiasm.

  • @n20games52
    @n20games52 2 года назад +1

    The launch was a great Christmas present. Thanks for the update!

  • @poli67a70
    @poli67a70 2 года назад +1

    Loved the "double-decker bus on top of a tennis court" analogy at 4:26!

  • @tomv3999
    @tomv3999 2 года назад

    Your enthusiasm is contagious.... although I've been enthusiastic for quite some time .... ❤️

  • @voltronik9141
    @voltronik9141 2 года назад +1

    Watching the telescope unfold is the coolest space thing I've seen.

  • @agl33
    @agl33 2 года назад

    Great news dr. Becky! Cheers for everyone in Astronomy, always bringing amazing discoveries!!

  • @mattkevlarlarock5469
    @mattkevlarlarock5469 2 года назад

    So much energy and enthusiasm... You make space stuff fun. Thank you for the videos.

  • @keegs1163
    @keegs1163 2 года назад +2

    Hey my dad raved and ranted about this telescope and passes away before he got a chance to see what it can do. I just want to say a thank you to my dad for getting me into astronomy so much and say we have almost done it dad!

  • @htpcdvd
    @htpcdvd 2 года назад +1

    Love your energy! Got me even more informed and excited!! Peace from CA!

  • @mlord692
    @mlord692 2 года назад +2

    Like so many others, I am super excited to find out what this telescope is fully capable of. To hear that it will be operational for over 10 years because of such a phenomenal launch is great!!!