Short Wave The James Webb Space Telescope Is About To Launch
Dec 17, 2021
Nell Greenfieldboyce, an NPR science correspondent, joins to discuss the much-anticipated launch of the James Webb Space Telescope. She shares insights into its groundbreaking potential to reveal the universe's earliest galaxies post-Big Bang. The conversation dives into the intense emotions surrounding the launch, along with the challenges faced in its long development. Nell also touches on the telescope’s innovative design and its capabilities to explore distant worlds and exoplanets, promising a new frontier in cosmic discovery.
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Astronomers' Anxiety
- Nell Greenfield-Boys jokingly expresses concern about the James Webb Space Telescope blowing up.
- Neil Reed, an astronomer, rates his terror level at a 7 out of 10.
Complex Unfolding
- The launch is only the first step; the telescope must unfold itself in space, including a tennis court-sized sunshield.
- The unfolding process is complex and has many points of potential failure.
Naming Controversy
- The telescope is named after James Webb, a NASA administrator during the 1960s.
- Controversy surrounds Webb's role during the Lavender Scare, although NASA's review found no direct involvement.