The vivid images of the universe observed for the first time by NASA's latest "James Webb Space Telescope", which is expected to bring great discoveries to astronomy, have been released.
NASA Administrator said, "It will show us the appearance of the universe that we have never seen before."
The "James Webb Space Telescope" is the latest space telescope operated mainly by NASA, and after it was launched in December last year, the equipment was adjusted for full-scale observation.
NASA held an event at the Goddard Space Flight Center in eastern Maryland on the 12th, revealing five images including the first full-scale observation of the vivid space, including the image released the day before by President Biden.
Of these, the image released as the "Carina Nebula" states that the process of new star formation can be observed in more detail than before.
In addition, the images of five galaxies that can be seen in close proximity, called "Stephan's Quintet," clearly capture the movement of gas.
The "James Webb Space Telescope" is a huge project led by NASA as a successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, spending more than 20 years and costing more than 1 trillion yen.
It is said that it is possible to observe the universe more than 13.5 billion light years away, aiming to observe the galaxies and stars that were created at the earliest stage after the birth of the universe, and also to search for planets where life can exist. It is expected to bring great discoveries to astronomy.
NASA Secretary Nelson said, "This telescope will give people a look at the universe that they have never seen before."
Astronomical Researcher "The Dawn of a New Era"
Researchers in the field of astronomy in Japan are surprised that "it is an image that symbolizes the dawn of a new era of astronomy."
Assistant Professor Yuichi Harikin of the University of Tokyo Institute for Cosmic Ray Research has decided to make observations using the "James Webb Space Telescope". The quality is far beyond imagination, and the performance is beyond expectations. It symbolizes the dawn of a new era of astronomical science, and we expect to see more and more new results in the future. " ..
He said about his research on the plan to observe the galaxy that was created in the first period from the birth of the universe, "I want to clarify the appearance of the universe that no one has seen yet."
Data disclosure of 5 points
NASA = NASA has released five points of data, including the clear images that the "James Webb Space Telescope" observed for the first time.
"SMACS 0723"
The first image released is a vivid image of thousands of galaxies centered around a cluster of galaxies called "SMACS 0723" that is more than 4 billion light-years away.
Experts say, "The gravity of the cluster of galaxies bends the light of the galaxy in the back, making it appear as if it were partly stretched."
It also shows galaxies about 13 billion light-years away.
Southern ring nebula
This is an image of a celestial body also called the "Southern Ring Nebula".
The gas and dust that are emitted and shining as the star is about to end its life are clearly projected to the smallest detail.
Stephan's Quintet
It is an image of five galaxies that can be seen in close proximity, called "Stephan's Quintet".
Even the movement of gas clearly captures the appearance of galaxies attracting each other by gravity and trying to unite.
Carina Nebula
It is an image released as "Carina Nebula".
What looks like a cloud is gas and dust, in which you can see the young stars just born more clearly than ever before.
Atmospheric data of exoplanets
Observation data of the atmosphere of the planets around the stars that shine like the sun have also been released.
It is said that it is a planet in the Milky Way galaxy called "WASP-96b" that captures signals indicating the existence of water in the atmosphere.
Finding a planet on which life can exist through such analysis is also a major role of this space telescope.
What is the new space telescope?
The "James Webb Space Telescope" is a space telescope that mainly observes infrared rays, and was launched last year as a successor to the "Hubble Space Telescope" that has made great achievements in the history of astronomy.
It is a huge science project jointly developed by NASA = US Aeronautics and Space Administration and ESA = European Space Agency, and it takes more than 20 years and costs more than 1 trillion yen.
The diameter of the "reflector" that collects light is about 6.5 meters, which is 2.7 times that of the "Hubble Space Telescope", and the five-layer large silver curtain plays a role in blocking heat and light from the sun.
Also, while the Hubble Space Telescope makes observations while orbiting the Earth at an altitude of about 550 km, the "James Webb Space Telescope" is a telescope in the direction opposite to the Sun and the Earth in an orbit 1.5 million km away from the Earth. It is said that it will be possible to observe dark celestial bodies farther away by always pointing at.
NASA Secretary Nelson "Entering the Age of Discovery"
NASA Secretary Nelson told NHK in an interview, "If you got this much information in the first week, how much information will you get in the next 20 years?"
He added that Japan is an important partner of NASA. "The knowledge gained from this telescope will be available to scientists around the world. We are entering an era of great discovery." He expressed his hope for new scientific discoveries through international cooperation, including.