Telescope of the Future: JWST Revolutionary Discoveries Quiz

1. How many hexagonal segments make up the Primary Mirror of the JWST?

16

21

19

18

The Primary Mirror of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is composed of 18 hexagonal segments. These segments work together to create the telescope's large and highly sensitive mirror, allowing it to capture and focus infrared light from distant celestial objects.

Explanation

The Primary Mirror of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is composed of 18 hexagonal segments. These segments work together to create the telescope's large and highly sensitive mirror, allowing it to capture and focus infrared light from distant celestial objects.

2. What is the JWST's mirror made of?

Aluminum-coated glass

Platinum

Polished granite

Gold-coated beryllium

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) features a remarkable primary mirror that is constructed from hexagonal segments, each made of beryllium. Beryllium is chosen for its lightweight and stable properties, making it an ideal material for use in space telescopes. These segments are then coated with a thin layer of gold, which provides a highly reflective surface for capturing and focusing incoming infrared light.

Explanation

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) features a remarkable primary mirror that is constructed from hexagonal segments, each made of beryllium. Beryllium is chosen for its lightweight and stable properties, making it an ideal material for use in space telescopes. These segments are then coated with a thin layer of gold, which provides a highly reflective surface for capturing and focusing incoming infrared light.

3. Which of the following is not a scientific instrument onboard JWST?

Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec)

Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI)

James Webb's Camera (JWC)

Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam)

Webb has four science instruments: Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam), Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec), Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), and Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) with the Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS)

Explanation

Webb has four science instruments: Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam), Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec), Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), and Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) with the Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS)

4. What is the main advantage of JWST's orbit in space?

Low gravity environment

Protection from asteroids

Lets the telescope stay in line with the Earth as it moves around the Sun

Access to extraterrestrial resources

What is special about this orbit is that it lets the telescope stay in line with the Earth as it moves around the Sun. This allows the satellite's large sunshield to protect the telescope from the light and heat of the Sun and Earth (and Moon).

Explanation

What is special about this orbit is that it lets the telescope stay in line with the Earth as it moves around the Sun. This allows the satellite's large sunshield to protect the telescope from the light and heat of the Sun and Earth (and Moon).

5. Which of the following targets is not within the primary observational goals of JWST?

Exoplanets with potential habitable conditions

Early galaxies in the process of formation

Gravitational waves from merging black holes

The presence of organic molecules in nebulae

JWST's primary observational goals include studying exoplanets, early galaxies, and the presence of organic molecules in nebulae. Gravitational waves from merging black holes are not within its primary focus.

Explanation

JWST's primary observational goals include studying exoplanets, early galaxies, and the presence of organic molecules in nebulae. Gravitational waves from merging black holes are not within its primary focus.

6. What is the primary reason for using infrared instead of visible light for JWST's observations?

Infrared light is less affected by scattering and absorption in space

Infrared light carries more energy than visible light

There is an abundance of infrared sources in the universe

JWST's instruments are optimized for infrared detection

Infrared light has longer wavelengths than visible light, and these longer wavelengths are less susceptible to scattering and absorption by dust, gas, and other obstacles in space. This property allows the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to observe celestial objects with greater clarity and sensitivity, especially when studying objects hidden behind dust clouds or distant objects with redshifted spectra due to the expansion of the universe. JWST's instruments are optimized to detect and study these infrared wavelengths, making it a powerful tool for exploring the universe in the infrared spectrum.

Explanation

Infrared light has longer wavelengths than visible light, and these longer wavelengths are less susceptible to scattering and absorption by dust, gas, and other obstacles in space. This property allows the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to observe celestial objects with greater clarity and sensitivity, especially when studying objects hidden behind dust clouds or distant objects with redshifted spectra due to the expansion of the universe. JWST's instruments are optimized to detect and study these infrared wavelengths, making it a powerful tool for exploring the universe in the infrared spectrum.

7. What is the approximate diameter of JWST's hexagonal mirrors?

2 meters

4 meters

1.32 meters

8 meters

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) features a primary mirror composed of 18 hexagonal segments, each with an approximate diameter of 1.32 meters. These hexagonal segments fit together to create a larger, segmented mirror that effectively acts as a single mirror with a substantial collecting area for capturing light.

Explanation

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) features a primary mirror composed of 18 hexagonal segments, each with an approximate diameter of 1.32 meters. These hexagonal segments fit together to create a larger, segmented mirror that effectively acts as a single mirror with a substantial collecting area for capturing light.

8. What feature of JWST will enable it to unfold and deploy in space?

Solar panels

Rocket thrusters

Hinge mechanisms

Shape-memory alloy

The feature of JWST that will enable it to unfold and deploy in space is the **hinge mechanisms**. JWST is equipped with a complex system of hinge mechanisms that allow it to fold into a compact configuration for launch and then unfold and deploy its various components once it reaches its designated orbit in space. These hinge mechanisms play a critical role in the successful deployment of the telescope, including its sunshield and segmented mirror.

Explanation

The feature of JWST that will enable it to unfold and deploy in space is the **hinge mechanisms**. JWST is equipped with a complex system of hinge mechanisms that allow it to fold into a compact configuration for launch and then unfold and deploy its various components once it reaches its designated orbit in space. These hinge mechanisms play a critical role in the successful deployment of the telescope, including its sunshield and segmented mirror.

9. Which planet's atmosphere will JWST primarily study in the solar system?

Mars

Jupiter

Saturn

Neptune

Webb will help us to understand the trace organics in Mars' atmosphere and be used to do studies that verify the findings of the Mars rovers and landers. Webb will observe Mars and the giant planets, minor planets like Pluto and Eris - and even the small bodies in our solar system: asteroids, comets, and Kuiper Belt Objects.

Explanation

Webb will help us to understand the trace organics in Mars' atmosphere and be used to do studies that verify the findings of the Mars rovers and landers. Webb will observe Mars and the giant planets, minor planets like Pluto and Eris - and even the small bodies in our solar system: asteroids, comets, and Kuiper Belt Objects.

10. What is the 'Golden Eye' of JWST?

Prime focus mirror

Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec)

Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI)

Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam)

The 'Golden Eye' of JWST is the Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam). This camera is often referred to as the 'Golden Eye' due to its significance and its role in capturing images and conducting observations in the near-infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. NIRCam is one of the key scientific instruments onboard the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

Explanation

The 'Golden Eye' of JWST is the Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam). This camera is often referred to as the 'Golden Eye' due to its significance and its role in capturing images and conducting observations in the near-infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. NIRCam is one of the key scientific instruments onboard the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).