James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)

James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Latest News

Recently, scientists have found tentative but strong evidence of possible extraterrestrial life on a distant exoplanet named K2-18b, located 124 light years away from Earth in the Leo constellation.

About James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)

• The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), launched in December 2021, is the largest and most powerful space observatory built through a collaboration between NASA, European Space Agency (ESA), and Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
• JWST orbits the L2 Lagrange Point, about 1.5 million km beyond Earth, enabling a stable position for deep-space observation.
• The telescope operates primarily in the infrared spectrum and is equipped with components such as:
  • Optical Telescope Element (OTE) – collects light from distant objects.
  • Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) – houses all cameras and instruments.
  • Sunshield – protects sensitive instruments from solar radiation.
  • Spacecraft Bus – provides necessary operational support.

Scientific Findings on K2-18b

• The Cambridge University research team studied the planet’s atmosphere and detected chemical signatures of gases like dimethyl sulphide (DMS) and dimethyl disulphide (DMDS).
• On Earth, these gases are known to be produced only by marine phytoplankton and certain bacteria, raising the possibility of biological activity on K2-18b.
• The amount of DMS detected is thousands of times greater than Earth's levels, suggesting, if biological, that the planet might be teeming with life.

James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) FAQs

Q1. What is the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)?
Ans. The James Webb Space Telescope is a space-based observatory launched by NASA in December 2021 designed to observe the universe in infrared light.

Q2. How is JWST different from the Hubble Telescope?
Ans. Unlike Hubble, which observes mainly in visible and ultraviolet light, JWST focuses on infrared light, allowing it to see through cosmic dust and view early galaxies.

Q3. What scientific goals does JWST serve?
Ans. JWST aims to study the formation of stars, galaxies, and planetary systems, analyze exoplanet atmospheres, and look back to the earliest stages of the universe.

Source: BBC