Overview

For years, scientists and astronomers trying to understand the outer space and its dynamics have believed that older galaxies must be small and deformed. But the James Webb Space Telescope, which is offering renewed clarity into the events underway in the universe, has thrown those assumptions (and many more) out of the window.

The science and other stuff to know

Launched in December 2021 and beginning service in July 2022, the James Webb Space Telescope is currently orbiting the Sun at about 1.5 million miles from Earth.

It usually takes scientists to unearth astronomical discoveries once in a blue moon, but the pace, clarity, and precision with which James Webb is transmitting information back to Earth have distorted calculations about our spatial knowledge.

For example, the early universe, which James Webb is looking into, was thought to be a “chaotic space”, as revealed to The Washington Post by Dan Coe of the Space Telescope Science Institute.

“We thought the early universe was this chaotic place where there’s all these clumps of star formation, and things are all a-jumble,” Coe said.

But the assumption might have been based on early images provided by Hubble. Hubble has a much-limited vision compared to Webb, which relies on infrared to see further with more precision. Those early images might have led the calculations astray. But the new information from Webb is set to correct existing knowledge and provide a new one.

So what?

Webb is not merely a $10 billion investment for bewildered stargazing. The observations provide key insights for investigations into the genesis of the universe, the formation of galaxies, and much more.

The recent detection of carbon dioxide in a planet outside of our solar system has hinted at the possibility that there could be life outside of Earth. And a deeper analysis of Jupiter’s moon, Europa, could offer ways to study the presumed presence of water under its surface. Moreover, Webb could offer a chance for a deeper study of other planetary systems that are thought to be potentially habitable.

What’s next?

While the importance of the information received from the James Webb telescope cannot be immediately turned into tangible results for the masses to see its benefits, its significance cannot be denied by any means.

The Webb has put scientists on a renewed journey of studying the universe with enhanced lucidity. It has realigned their thinking, and through it, set the stage for a new era of cosmic exploration. With additional information will come more surprises, more corrections, and more knowledge of how little we know about the universe we call our home.