CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA’s new space telescope opened its huge, gold-plated, flower-shaped mirror Saturday, the final step in the observatory’s dramatic unfurling.
By Marcia Dunn | Associated Press
The last portion of the 21-foot mirror swung into place at flight controllers’ command, completing the unfolding of the James Webb Space Telescope. More powerful than the Hubble Space Telescope, the $10 billion Webb will scan the cosmos for light streaming from the first stars and galaxies formed 13.7 billion years ago. To accomplish this, NASA had to outfit Webb with the biggest and most sensitive mirror ever launched — its “golden eye,” as scientists call it.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Space telescope's 'golden eye' opens, last major hurdleNASA's new space telescope has opened its gold-plated, flower-shaped mirror, the largest and most sensitive ever launched.
Read more »
James Webb Space Telescope has unfolded 1st wing of massive golden mirrorUnfolding the two side wings of the James Webb Space Telescope's golden primary mirror marks the last major task in assembling the observatory.
Read more »
1 billion seconds in space! NASA's Hubble Space Telescope surpasses major milestoneAnd Hubble is still going strong.
Read more »
The Physics of the James Webb Space TelescopeHumanity has a new eye in the sky, with infrared sensors that will peer into the farthest reaches of the cosmos. Here’s how it works.
Read more »
Japan billionaire Maezawa: going to space makes you obsessed with EarthJapanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa, newly returned to Japan after a 12-day journey into space last month, said being launched into the cosmos was less scary than riding a rollercoaster and made him obsessed with Earth.
Read more »