The Webb Space Telescope’s instruments have been in safe mode intermittently since Dec. 7, but scientific operations resumed earlier this week, NASA said. and Press release on Wednesday.
Webb has been in safe mode with all non-critical observatory systems turned off multiple times in the last two weeks. That is, no scientific manipulation was done. NASA says problem Mehas been resolved and “the observatory and instruments are all in good condition” and the agency hadn’t reported any glitches until yesterday.
Webb is a $10 billion space observatory that images the universe at infrared and near-infrared wavelengths.A state-of-the-art telescope Attracted our attention in the first six months of scientific observations, symbolic structures like pillar of creation in a new light.
According to a NASA release A “software failure triggered in the attitude control system”, the device that guides the observatory to where it is pointing.That’s the direction for most, exceptThe telescope was moved away from the micrometeorite avoidance zone in the spring to protect the telescope mirror.the operation came Following Space Rock Strike Damaged one of the mirror panels.
T.According to NASA, he totaled several days of hiatus during which the telescope was unable to make observations this month.Now science is back in full force. The Webb team is working on rescheduling observations affected by the glitch.
Yesterday, Webb cosmic Holiday card equivalent: An image of the spiral galaxy NGC 7469 resembling a wreath.The galaxy is 220 million light years away When It looks decidedly calm to Webb’s eye.
In addition to seeing known objects in new ways, Webb imagined light from the oldest corners of the universe. too weak for old age observatory look.
One of Webb’s primary scientific goals is to test. Explore ancient light sources (early stars and galaxies) to understand how they originated and evolved in deep time.
In other words, the web For science, safe mode can be avoided. But it’s better to be safe than to worry. Let’s hope it stays that way.
Read more: Webb telescope brings once-blurred galaxy into focus
