The James Webb Space Telescope at L2

After launch, the James Webb Space Telescope traveled to its orbital destination. Webb will perform its science mission while orbiting a location in space, called the second Lagrange point, or L2 for short. L2 is located one million miles from Earth.

As Webb orbits L2, the telescope stays in line with Earth as it travels around the Sun. L2 is a point where the gravitational influences of the Earth and Sun balance the centripetal force of a small object orbiting with them.

The telescope's optics and instruments need to be kept very cold to be able to observe the very faint infrared signals of very distant objects clearly. This location is perfect for Webb's sunshield to block out light and heat from the Sun, Earth, and Moon. Unlike the Hubble Space Telescope, Webb's orbit keeps the spacecraft out of the Earth's shadow making L2 a thermally stable location for the observatory to operate at.

Webb will operate within its field of regard. The "field of regard" refers to the angles the telescope can move while staying in the shadow of the Sun. Each of Webb's instruments has its own field of view. The field of view is the area of sky an instrument can observe. Webb's fine steering mirror is moved so that an object can be observed by the different instruments. This prevents the whole telescope from having to repoint itself to do so.

The Webb Telescope’s commissioning process will be complete approximately six months after launch, at which time Webb start its science mission. Helping to uncover more of the mysteries of our Universe.

Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Michael P. Menzel (AIMM): Lead Producer
Adriana Manrique Gutierrez (USRA): Animator
Leah Hustak (STScI): Animator
Michael Lentz (USRA): Animator
Aaron E. Lepsch (ADNET): Technical Support
Michael P. Menzel (AIMM): Lead Video Editor
Michael P. Menzel (AIMM): Lead Writer

(Republished with small voiceover correction regarding the fine steering mirrors.)

[dcrone]

I wish they would verbally narrate these videos. It's frustrating to keep pausing it so I can read and have time look at the images.

[adobemastr]

This is wonderful! Thank you, NASA, and also for the tasteful selection of the background music.

[ecrusch]

I'm so proud of the scientists that have accomplished this.

[jmikronis]

My guess is everyone involved with the images will be overwhelmed at what is found, as in a great deal more to see. Many, many, many more exoplanets!! Asteroids!!

[Debrutsideno]

I can’t wait to see what Webb can see.

[amarortal]

I can't wait, this is so exciting!!! Imagine a whole new chapter in space exploration!!! We are so lucky to have this opportunity!!! The things we'll get to see, the discoveries!!! It will be breathtaking!!!😁😁😁

[kathynj]

This is so exciting! I can't wait to find out what we learn!

[lmyjfks]

Hallo sehr interesantt information danke, viel Gluck und gute wetter

[lmyjfks]

danke für das Geschenk, ich habe nur auf die nächste Karte geschaut, die Navigation der Sterne wird noch schöner

[cemseker]

Bizlere ne gösterecek merak ediyorum Teşekkür ederim

[martin]

i dream for Webb's very deep field

[Cuda]

@1:53 just became my home screen wallpaper. 😁

[Bultish]

This makes the future exciting and worth experiencing

[donarrivas]

Nasa may have an issue of calibrating the jwst deep field vision due to a rise of heat pressure in the back shield. Nasa is confident on the durability of the heat shield in space condition, but the sun irregular activities could cause some unexpected problems to the shield such as a rise of heat pressure that could change the integrity of its construction, or orbital adjustments. JWST constantly needs the nearest absolutely freezing temp to calibrate the sensors to capture the absolute farthest infrared wavelength at the absolute edge of the known universe to prove the existence of the big bang theory.

[ricardoabh]

Is there a JSWT web resource where we can find the evolution/status of the wavefronts mirror calibration?

[VECORlt]

So excited to see more!
By any chance you have a simulated image of earth in front of the sun as seen from L2?

[asotoole]

I can NOT wait to see the first images! I think we're going to have our collective minds blown!

[arctic-]

Is this a re-upload? Feels like I've seen this

[cognitive-carpenter]

What's the chance one of the gold foils delaminates?

[SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

Shadow of the Sun? Shadow of it's Sunscreen, I'd say....