Is This the Next Generation of Space Telescopes?

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We already had a telescope in the infar red spectrum too. It was called spitzer, but it just didn't have nearly as high resolution cameras or all this tech that jw s t has. With that array of telescopes combined with ground base, we could cover the whole spectrum and get the whole story. And that was scientifically gang busters. Because we wanted to confirm science,. right? If we're seeing something in a specific spectrum of the electromagnet spectrum. If we can confirm that in every other spectrum, then we basically know it must be true - at least in our version of physics.

This week we have another longform episode! David got a little obsessed with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) a few months ago and spent hours and hours researching and talking to experts so that he can try to explain it here on the podcast for Marques and Andrew. This one is a little dense but if you're even remotely interested in the mysteries of our universe this one is for you. David explains why the JWST is such a big deal and what we hope to discover once it begins sending back pictures.

Special thanks to:

Paul Geithner

Dr. Jonathan McDowell

Dr. Peter Gao

Tim Dodd

Sources:

How James Webb Orbits Nothing

Webb vs Hubble (NASA)

Fine Guidance Sensor (NASA)

JWST FAQ (NASA)

Where is Webb? (NASA)

Webb Orbit (NASA)