James Webb: Immortalized by a Telescope

 Well, folks, the deep space searching telescope is on its way.  Where is it going?  Nowhere place.   Unspecified except for some esoteric coordinates only astronomers can appreciate.   It will be out there a long ways, putting it simply.  The telescope, in development for decades, will advance knowledge of our "universe", and expand our understanding of the space/time conundrum.   The James Webb telescope has a very large mirror, the main source of information gathered by the instrument.  It will "see" things, objects or events, in the distant pass that only now are reaching us with help from the scope.

        This instrument will replace the Hubble telescope, the workhorse of the last 30 years or so, that took photos of formerly unseen events that occurred in outer space.  What's the difference between the two?  First, and foremost, the Hubble collected only visible light, that is, objects we could see.   The Webb scope will take images of space across a different light spectrum: ultra violet light.  This capability will enhance its light-gathering ability and allow us "to see" much more into deep space.  Astronomers fully expect to see back in time to the origins of the universe, out galaxy included.   Scientists also hope to gather data that will shed 'light' on our own universe: the Milky Way.  We will perhaps be able to discern with some accuracy, the  end of our existence-the death of our "star" that will mark the end of earth and its inhabitants(us).  

      Our investigative tool is not all about black holes, outer limits, red dwarfs, and such, but actually a chronicle of our own technological advances, from optics to computers.  Who could have envisioned the iphone 20 years ago or, more importantly, its impact on our lives?  Who could foresee the demise of the lowly telephone, a symbol of pedestrian communication for generations?   Disruptive forces have become commonplace, and little is known about the long term effects.

      For the next month, the James Webb Scope will be adjusted and placed in its "home".   Its sunshield will be unfolded(made by Northrup Grumman in Redondo Beach,CA).  This is the key to its longevity.  Without a sunshield, the scope would burn up.   The orientation of the scope will also be tested and directed according to plan.   In a month or so, new information will be transmitted back to earth: a revolution is upon us.  Get ready.