4 interesting facts about the James Webb Space Telescope 

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), termed as the ‘world’s most powerful telescope’, is a big, space-based observatory with infrared wavelengths that will complement and extend the discoveries of Hubble Space Telescope, launched in 1990. It was launched on December 25 last year by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). This telescope has been named after James E. Webb, NASA’s second administrator from 1961-68 who worked during the launch of NASA’s human space flight programmes, Mercury, Gemini and Apollo, respectively.  JWST will cover a wider range of wavelengths and have significantly better sensitivity. Here are four facts regarding the James Webb Space Telescope that you might find interesting. Read on. 

JWST was initially called the Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) 
Yes, you read that right. Earlier, JWST was actually called NGST. There are two reasons behind this. Firstly, it was given the name "Next Generation" because it would continue the science exploration begun by the Hubble Space Telescope. The discoveries made by Hubble and other telescopes have ushered in a new era in astronomy, posing new problems that necessitate the development of a new, different, and more powerful telescope. Secondly, from an engineering point of view, it also incorporates innovative technologies such as the lightweight, deployable primary mirror, which will pave the way for future missions. 

JWST will examine every stage of the existence of universe’s history 
The long wavelength of JSWT will enable it to travel back in time to identify the earliest galaxies that formed in the early days of the universe. It will also allow the telescope to gaze inside dust clouds where stars and planetary systems are developing today. Webb's ground-breaking technology will enable scientists to investigate every aspect of cosmic history, from the inner workings of our solar system to the farthest detectable galaxies in the early cosmos, and everything in between.  

JWST’s Golden Mirror can capture six times more light than the Hubble telescope 
The Hubble telescope's mirror was 7.8 feet in diameter, whereas the James Webb telescope's mirror is 21.3 feet in diameter, allowing it to capture six times as much light as Hubble. Astronomers hope to obtain vistas of the universe like-never-before with its golden mirror. One must be in space to get the best view of space and that’s what JWST would do. Moreover, a five-layer sunshield protects Webb's enormous mirror and advanced array of instruments, which can unfold to the size of a tennis court. The complete observatory had been folded to fit within the launch vehicle and was unfolded in orbit. This complicated deployment sequence had never-been-tried-before for a space observatory, and the incredible engineering that enabled Webb involves many technological breakthroughs. 

JWST uses infrared lighting instead of ultraviolet light 
The James Webb Space Telescope focuses on infrared, a wavelength critical for peeking through gas and dust to see distant objects, whereas Hubble looks at the universe in visible, ultraviolet light. Webb will take us even further with a primary mirror roughly 60 times larger in area than Hubble. Astronomers may be able to peer into incredibly old galaxies using infrared imaging due to a process known as "redshifting" in which light is stretched as it comes and goes, leaving a red trail behind.