Scientists ‘thrilled and relieved’ to get first images from most powerful space-based observatory ever built
stronomers have hailed the beginning of a new era of space observation after Nasa unveiled a flurry of full-colour images from theThe pictures from the sun-orbiting instrument brought delight – and no end of relief – for researchers who have waited decades for the project to come to fruition and embark on its mission to transform our view of the cosmos.
Dr Bill Ochs, Webb’s project manager, said the telescope was in “excellent shape” and meeting or exceeding its scientific requirements. In the second image, Webb analysed starlight as it passed through the atmosphere of a hot Jupiter-like planet called Wasp-96b, about 1,150 light years away. This revealed the presence of water vapour, though the planet is too hot to harbour liquid water. Astronomers will use the same approach on smaller, rocky planets in the hope of finding worlds where conditions are ripe for life.
The collection of deep space images mark the official start of science operations for Webb, which encountered major delays and cost overruns before it reached the launchpad. Since it blasted off in December, scientists have endured a nailbiting six months as the observatory has unfolded, deployed a sunshield the size of a tennis court, and aligned its 18 gold-plated mirrors en route to its destination 1m miles from Earth.
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