Space

James Webb Space Telescope has unfolded 1st wing of massive golden mirror

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The iconic golden mirror of NASA’s massive new observatory is taking shape. The James Webb Space Telescope unfolded the panel that carries the three leftmost segments of its hexagonal gold-coated primary mirror on Friday (Jan. 7). Nearly two weeks after the observatory’s launch, the successful maneuver brings the telescope close to its final form. “Webb’s … Read more

Watch the James Webb Space Telescope soar through space in this livestream today!

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Catch a livestream of the James Webb Space Telescope as it zips towards its celestial perch today (Jan. 7).  Starting at 4:30 p.m. EST (2130 GMT), astrophysicist Gianluca Masi of the Virtual Telescope Project in Italy will stream live telescope views of the James Webb Space Telescope. You can watch the webcast live in the … Read more

1 billion seconds in space! NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope surpasses major milestone

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NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has reached a major milestone: one billion seconds in the final frontier. The famous observatory launched on April 24, 1990, aboard the space shuttle Discovery. Hubble was deployed into orbit the following day, beginning its mission to explore the vast universe, including distant galaxies, supernovas, nebulas and exoplanets. On Jan. 1, … Read more

Swab Your Throat First? Rapid Tests May Need Saliva to Detect Omicron, Early Data Find

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Rapid COVID-19 tests that use nose swabs alone might not pick up Omicron in the early days of infection, a new study suggests – but experts don’t agree on whether you should also swab your throat.   A small study from a group of US researchers, published Tuesday, found that rapid tests with nasal swabs didn’t detect Omicron … Read more

Why doesn’t the James Webb Space Telescope have any cameras onboard?

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The public is now used to seeing space up close, thanks to cameras watching everything from satellites deploying to a spacesuit-clad “dummy” cruising in a Tesla — so why doesn’t NASA’s giant new observatory have any cameras on board? It has to do with light and heat, Julie Van Campen, deputy commissioning manager for the … Read more

James Webb Space Telescope deploys radiator to keep cool

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NASA’s new high-tech, low-temp observatory observatory is one step closer to gathering some cool science. The James Webb Space Telescope launched on Dec. 25 and has spent its time in space so far executing a complicated sequence of deployments to unfold the telescope to its final configuration. On Thursday (Jan. 6), the mission team notched … Read more

NFT-backed vault on space station to showcase prized goods for sale

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The International Space Station is about to get its first sales showroom. Uplift Aerospace, which last year flew an artist’s paintings on the nosecone of a space-bound rocket, has announced the upcoming launch of its “Constellation Vault,” a platform for exhibiting jewelry, artwork and other precious goods on board the International Space Station. Members of … Read more

This amazing 4K video is the last view we’ll ever have of the James Webb Space Telescope

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When the James Webb Space Telescope’s mission first began on Dec. 25, it was already time for people on Earth to say goodbye to the observatory. A new video from the European Space Agency shows the $10 billion Webb telescope deploying from the Ariane 5 rocket that carried it into space, all in glorious 4K … Read more

James Webb Space Telescope nails secondary mirror deployment

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The James Webb Space Telescope achieved another major milestone today, successfully extending its secondary mirror as it continues to sail seamlessly through its never-before-conducted deployment sequence on the way to its destination.  The 2.4-foot-wide (0.74 meters) secondary mirror sits attached to a tripod opposite the main mirror. Its task is to concentrate the light collected … Read more