The Webb Telescope's Optics

The most prominent and beautiful part of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is its gold primary mirror with its smaller, secondary mirror suspended out in front. Learn more about the Webb Telescope's optics system (and how it will be commissioned) in this short social media video.

Credit: NASA's Goddard Spaceflight Center

Michael Starobin (KBRwyle): Lead Producer
Michael McClare (KBRwyle): Producer
Michael McClare (KBRwyle): Videographer
Michael McClare (KBRwyle): Lead Video Editor
Rich Melnick (KBRwyle): Video Editor
Jonathan North (KBRwyle): Animator
Adriana Manrique Gutierrez (KBRwyle): Animator
Chris Meaney (KBRwyle): Animator
Walt Feimer (KBRwyle): Animator
Krystofer Kim (KBRwyle): Animator
Michael Lentz (KBRwyle): Animator
Aaron E. Lepsch (ADNET): Technical Support

[aemrt]

What is remarkable is the main mirror size at 255 inches in diameter. From 1949 until 1993, the largest telescope on Earth was the Hale at Mt Palomar (200 inches). Technically the Soviets build a bigger scope in 1975, but it has significant design issues and did not live up to its capabilities.

The James Webb is larger than the largest telescopes of a generation ago, and it is in space! Even today, 255 inches would be considered a very large Earth bound instrument, and there are only a dozen or so at that size or greater.

This points to the remarkable engineering effort involved in sucessfully deploying such a telescope. I am amazed.

[tobiaswilhelmi]

I like how the CGI at 0:47 shows the mirror segments very bumpy while in reality these are one of the most perfect mirrors ever made. It's like the graphics dude is like 'of course I could let it look like perfect surface, but nobody would believe this." 😆😆

[TheSamansoul]

😍😍we are wating for its first lovely image.

[CoherentCorp]

So proud to be part of this amazing project with having gold-coated and polished these mirrors! We join the entire scientific community in anxiously awaiting what this telescope will show us!

[gyozakeynsianism]

This was the best explanation I've seen so far of how the primary mirror array is tuned. Very cool! Literally. 😎

[Ivearted]

Thank god you all are so dang smart! I’m so lucky I can kick back and keep re-watching 👍❤️👍

[markgreco]

Amazing can’t wait to see the first images.

[susanne]

Thank you for giving me the feeling I had during watching the moon landing: that this is something of and for humankind. 🖖🤗

[DannyMancheno]

Anybody else stumble across this channel?

Idk who she is but she’s been an absolute killer in regards to hosting this sort of thing. Really amazing vibe and energy, smart and welcoming.

[GordonKindlmann]

Yay! I'm so happy to be seeing more of these episodes, even if the "Elements" series is done. Looking forward to sharing these with my kids.

[Dudleymiddleton]

What humankind can create these days is quite astonishing! Despite the sheer number of times anything could go belly up, this has gone without one single glitch, evertything completely nailed! We so look forward to the first images and data from this marvellous machine. Go, Webb, GO!

[aniksamiurrahman]

Thank you, Sophia Roberts. Thanks for informing us all these so candidly.

[BenGrimm]

I want to know more about that pulse tube cryocooler

[kariahola]

The extreme fine mechanics of this incredible device just overwhelms me! Not to mention all the software it requires.
Cant't wait for the results.

[crypticon]

Great comprehensive explanation. Thank you!

[singhaderana]

Wating first imege ..from 🇱🇰 srilanka ☺

[rayoflight]

The James Webb, wherever it will look at, will make a breakthrough discovery!
Thanks for the video!

[francis]

Loving these types of videos that break down the cool engineering aspects of the JWST. I would love to see a video explaining the 4 sensors on the Webb; how each works (roughly) and what they each detect.

[bradleysandoval]

This was an excellent video! Thanks for sharing

[dannatravinci]

this channel will blow up once they discover life on another planet. And I will be glad that I was subscribed way before that.