12-26-2021, 09:31 PM
The James Webb Space Telescope launched on Christmas Day, the next generation observatory that will continue the work of the Hubble Telescope. It's now on route to a permanent position one million miles from earth. The components for a deep space satellite can't be tested at that distance, so how do scientists do it?
On Mauna Kea.
NASA selected IfA’s HAWAII-2RG sensors for use on the highly anticipated “next generation” space telescope after decades of testing and perfecting. These detectors not only met all design requirements, they also offered bonus features that made it easier for NASA to build JWST‘s three NIR instruments, which have very demanding environmental needs in deep space. An integral part of the testing process was the ability to mount the sensors on the IfA-operated UH 88-inch telescope on Maunakea, allowing for rapid and efficient evaluation of the detectors and testing over long periods of time to ensure no surprises on the upcoming mission.
“The extremely dark skies and exquisite image quality that we get from Maunakea allows us to really push technology hard and to explore where its limits are in terms of astronomical research potential,” said Simons, who serves as the IfA Director.
https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2021/12/20/u...telescope/
This is one more example showing the necessity of land based telescopes for future discoveries. If you agree, write to the Mauna Kea Working Group in favor of astronomy on Mauna Kea:
Public comments on the report are being accepted until Jan. 4 and can be sent to maunakeaWG@capitol.hawaii.gov.
On Mauna Kea.
NASA selected IfA’s HAWAII-2RG sensors for use on the highly anticipated “next generation” space telescope after decades of testing and perfecting. These detectors not only met all design requirements, they also offered bonus features that made it easier for NASA to build JWST‘s three NIR instruments, which have very demanding environmental needs in deep space. An integral part of the testing process was the ability to mount the sensors on the IfA-operated UH 88-inch telescope on Maunakea, allowing for rapid and efficient evaluation of the detectors and testing over long periods of time to ensure no surprises on the upcoming mission.
“The extremely dark skies and exquisite image quality that we get from Maunakea allows us to really push technology hard and to explore where its limits are in terms of astronomical research potential,” said Simons, who serves as the IfA Director.
https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2021/12/20/u...telescope/
This is one more example showing the necessity of land based telescopes for future discoveries. If you agree, write to the Mauna Kea Working Group in favor of astronomy on Mauna Kea:
Public comments on the report are being accepted until Jan. 4 and can be sent to maunakeaWG@capitol.hawaii.gov.