deep field. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STSCI
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deep field. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STSCI
Launched on Christmas Day 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope is the most complex, precise, and powerful space observatory ever built.
The telescope’s unparalleled resolution and sophistication are due to the many cutting-edge instruments aboard the telescope, including guidance cameras and scientific instruments developed by researchers at the Institute for Exoplanet Research (iREx) at the University of Montreal. Thing.
Now, these same scientists can see the fruits of their efforts and expertise as the initial data captured by the telescope, under the guidance of René Doyon, professor in the Department of Physics at UdeM, is made public.
The first photo taken by James Webb, released by US President Joe Biden on July 11, 2022, is of unprecedented color and clarity. This is the deepest and clearest infrared image ever taken of the distant universe, a cluster of galaxies that formed more than 13 billion years ago.
Four more images were released live on July 12 from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The image shows Stephan’s Quintet, a visual grouping of five galaxies, as well as the Carina Nebula and the Southern Ring Nebula in unparalleled clarity.
James Webb’s first spectroscopic analysis of the exoplanet WASP-96 b, located 1,000 light-years from Earth, has also been published. Using this technique to determine the chemical composition of distant celestial objects, the telescope not only captured evidence of clouds and fog, but also distinct features of water.
Natalie Ouellette, astrophysicist, iREx coordinator, and communications scientist at the James Webb Telescope, tells us more about these amazing images.
Karine Nabla. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STSCI
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Karine Nabla. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STSCI
These images reveal clouds of gas and dust ejected by dying stars, interacting galaxies, and never-before-seen star birth zones. What do you think is the most important discovery?
First of all, like most people, I was shocked by the beauty of the video. It’s very elaborate. Second, it’s hard to say which image is my favorite, but I guess it’s like choosing a favorite child.
Exoplanet spectra are my favorite. It was produced by Canadian equipment, and it proves the existence of water and clouds, correcting discoveries that were based on less accurate and less sensitive data. Typically, when observing exoplanets, the data don’t always match up. That was not the case with James Webb. His data turned out to be crisp and clean, and some incredible things were revealed.
Also, since my research focuses on the formation and evolution of galaxies, the Stefan Quintet images are spectacular and reveal new information about how galaxy interactions drove galaxy evolution in the early universe. It gave me some insight.
So are these images really unprecedented to the human eye?
Yes, because it shows light that is invisible to the human eye. Although the Hubble Telescope mainly observed visible light, James Webb was able to detect various phenomena by observing infrared light.
For example, nebulae are somewhat mysterious objects because they are very dusty. There are many gases that block visible light. But using infrared light, we can penetrate the dust and get images of things like the Southern Ring Nebula and the Carina Nebula.
Are the photos the result of some kind of processing?
Yes, and the team that created the images for the unveiling are amazing. Remember that making invisible light visible is not an easy task. This required the work of artists and scientists who could convert infrared light into the colors we can see. And the colors are not chosen randomly, but serve to emphasize certain scientific and artistic aspects of the object.
What can astrophysicists do with the photos released today?
There is still a lot to analyze. The images were taken in just a few days, if not weeks. We’re not talking on a monthly basis.
It’s like opening a box full of jewels. We want to look at everything individually and carefully. There are many things you can discover from images. It’s as if there’s a galaxy hidden in every pixel. The possibilities for discovery seem endless.
The scientific operation of this telescope has only just begun. Scientists and astronomers around the world are starting to own this telescope for their own projects.
And what’s next for iREx with Webb?
One of the first and most exciting programs undertaken with James Webb is the observation of planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system. This is Canada’s largest program in its first year and is led by the University of Montreal’s doctoral program. Student Olivia Lim. Similar to the exoplanets introduced today, Olivia will be observing the atmospheres of these exoplanets. These exoplanets are rocky and therefore may be similar to Earth. We’re looking for something like Earth’s twin, and maybe we’ll find one in the TRAPPIST-1 star system.