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NASA's $10 Billion Telescope Beams Back Shockingly Crisp Image of Galaxy

The James Webb Space Telescope is gearing up to make its first scientific observation. This summer, we will see the early galaxies, stars, and planets formed after the Big Bang in great detail. But, until then, we're getting a glimpse of what this powerful observatory can do.
The same part of the Large Magellanic Cloud seen by NASA's retired Spitzer Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope 11 photos
Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech (top), NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI (bottom)
James Webb Telescope sharpness checkJames Webb Telescope as seen by GaiaJames Webb Telescope as seen by GaiaJames Webb Telescope as seen by GaiaJames Webb telescope deploys its massive mirrorJames Webb telescope deploys its massive mirrorJames Webb telescope deploys its massive mirrorJames Webb telescope deploys its massive mirrorJames Webb telescope deploys its massive mirrorJames Webb telescope deploys its massive mirror
The $10 billion telescope's primary scientific goal is to study every phase of cosmic history, from the first light after the Big Bang to the formation of stars, planets, galaxies, and our own Solar System. On April 28th, NASA confirmed that Webb's mirrors are fully aligned and in focus.

Now, the space agency has released an image showing just how incredibly detailed the images taken by its instruments can be. With the help of its coldest instrument, the MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument), Webb captured a part of the Large Magellanic Cloud – a small satellite galaxy of the Milky Way filled with stars.

The image, taken at 7.7 microns, is shown alongside a past image of the same galaxy snapped by Spitzer Space Telescope's Infrared Array Camera at 8.0 microns. Launched in 2003, NASA's Spitzer provided incredible photos of the near- and mid-infrared universe.

On the other hand, Webb has longer wavelength coverage and better sensitivity. In addition, scientists will be able to observe the infrared sky in much more detail thanks to its substantially larger primary mirror and enhanced detectors.

And we can already see a glimpse of what Webb can do. The difference between the two images is mind-blowing. The MIRI version provides remarkable detail of stars and interstellar gas, including emissions from carbon and hydrogen molecules called "polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons" that play a significant role in the formation of planets.

Images such as the one captured by MIRI will help astronomers discover more about how early planetary systems came to be. Webb is now in the instrument commissioning phase, which involves setting up and testing the telescope's instruments. The process will take around two months before the telescope officially begins science observations.

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About the author: Florina Spînu
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Florina taught herself how to drive in a Daewoo Tico (a rebadged Suzuki Alto kei car) but her first "real car" was a VW Golf. When she’s not writing about cars, drones or aircraft, Florina likes to read anything related to space exploration and take pictures in the middle of nature.
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