JWT Launches

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There is a whole field around what would constitute a bio signature, and so far there's not been like one molecule or one thing you could attack. We have theory, but we don't have the data. J w t will produce some of that first data. My personal feelings were probly going to be to look at 30 to 60 potentially habitable exo planets before we have a really good idea.

On 22 December, if all goes to plan, the £7.5bn James Webb space telescope (JWST) will be blasted into space on top of a giant European Ariane 5 rocket. As it travels to its final destination – a point about a million miles away – it will begin to unfold its gold, honeycombed mirror; a vast light-catching bucket that could give us a view of the universe deeper and more sensitive than we’ve ever had before. JWST could also reveal clues about possible life-supporting planets inside our galaxy. One astronomer who will be eagerly deciphering those clues is Prof Beth Biller, who joined Guardian science editor Ian Sample this week.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod