James_Webb_Telescope_Case_Study. And discovery pptx

James web telescope and it's discovery

1. James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) A Case Study on Infrared Astronomy and Space Engineering Shaikh Abdurrehman & Omkar Pansare Electronics and Computer Science - Division B Engineering Physics | Prof. NRD Vidyalankar Institute of Technology

2. Introduction • The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is the most powerful space telescope ever built. • Launched on December 25, 2021, by NASA, ESA, and CSA. • It observes the universe in infrared light to study the first galaxies and exoplanets. • Located 1.5 million km from Earth at Lagrange Point L2.

3. Objectives of JWST • Observe distant galaxies formed after the Big Bang. • Study star and planet formation in detail. • Analyze exoplanet atmospheres for signs of life. • Extend Hubble’s discoveries into the infrared spectrum.

4. Physics Behind JWST • Infrared radiation detects cooler and distant cosmic objects. • Reflection optics: light bounces off gold-coated beryllium mirrors. • Diffraction: large mirror diameter gives higher resolution. • Thermal physics: instruments kept near -233°C to avoid self-radiation. Key Equations: E = hf | λ = c / f

5. Telescope Design • Primary Mirror: 6.5 m diameter with 18 hexagonal gold-coated segments. • Sunshield: 5-layer Kapton film blocks sunlight and heat. • Instruments: NIRCam, NIRSpec, MIRI, FGS/NIRISS. • Orbit: Positioned at Sun–Earth L2 point for thermal stability.

6. How JWST Works 1. Infrared light from distant galaxies enters the telescope. 2. Reflected by primary and secondary mirrors onto instruments. 3. Sensors convert light into data and images. 4. Data transmitted to Earth for analysis.

7. Key Discoveries • First images of galaxies formed over 13 billion years ago. • Detection of water and carbon dioxide in exoplanet atmospheres. • Stunning visuals of nebulae like Carina and Eagle. • Insight into galaxy evolution and cosmic origins.

8. Challenges in JWST Project • Over 20 years of development and $10 billion cost. • 344 potential single-point failures during deployment. • Alignment at cryogenic temperatures required extreme precision. • No repair possible due to distance from Earth.

9. Conclusion • JWST is a breakthrough in infrared astronomy and space engineering. • It extends humanity’s vision deeper into space and time. • Combines physics, technology, and collaboration at an unprecedented scale. • A milestone for future scientific exploration.

10. References • NASA Official JWST Website – https://webb.nasa.gov • European Space Agency (ESA) – https://esa.int/webb • Scientific American: Webb Telescope Features • Wikipedia: James Webb Space Telescope