Space telescopes and their scientific purposes
- Webb infrared observations complement Hubble visible and ultraviolet observations
- A larger collecting mirror gathers more faint light
- Aligned mirror segments act together as one primary mirror
- Infrared observations reveal redshifted light from distant early galaxies
- Infrared observations help study star formation inside dusty clouds
- Webb observations investigate exoplanet atmospheres
- A layered sunshield reduces the telescope thermal background
- MIRI requires additional active cooling beyond the passive sunshield
- An orbit around Sun-Earth L2 supports a common shielding direction