The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) promises to transform our knowledge of the universe. I’ll discuss how far JWST is from Earth and the hurdles involved in sending it into deep space.
Answer: The James Webb Space Telescope is located about 1.5 million kilometers from Earth.
Distance from Earth
The JWST sits at a special spot called the second Lagrange point (L2), about 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, roughly four times the distance to the Moon. Launched in December 2021, the JWST took a month to reach this location.
Journey to the L2 Point
The L2 point wasn’t a direct path from Earth to the telescope. The JWST took a highly elliptical orbit around the Sun, making maneuvers to adjust its path. Once at L2, the JWST used its thrusters to tweak its position and start its scientific mission.
Benefits of the L2 Point
The L2 point in space offers significant benefits for astronomical observations. It’s free from Earth’s shadow, allowing continuous observation unaffected by Earth’s heat or radiation. Additionally, L2 provides a stable platform for the JWST, keeping it in a fixed position relative to the Earth and Sun.
Challenges of sending spacecraft to the L2 Point
Sending a spacecraft to the L2 point is challenging. The vast distance demands a powerful rocket and a precise trajectory to ensure timely and accurate arrival. Once at L2, the spacecraft has to operate autonomously and endure harsh space conditions, like extreme temperatures and radiation.