Space related topic

[Kevin Hall]

Considering that it's an off-topic discussion, I would like to discuss space related things here.
As wisemen say:"A change is as good as a rest".

[Kevin Hall]

James Webb Space Telescope

James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is the greatest space telescope humanity has created.
JWST was launched into space on DEcember, 25.

It has taken more than 20 years to create this mastepiece.

The Webb Telescope has already reached its destination - Lagrange point 2, the orbital point where it is going to reveal us the most distant corners of Universe, revealing the birth of galaxies, stars and looking for planets to live on. Useful links to get acquainted:
Launch

Neil deGrasse Tyson explanation of JWST

t=30s

Lagrange points explanation

Live tracking JWST:

[Kevin Hall]

Jimmy's first target

The Webb Telescope has found its first target.
A star HD84406 becomes the first to be captured by JWST. The star is located in the constellation Ursa Major, near the Big Dipper.

https://twitter.com/NASAWebb/status/1487094799408762881?s=20&t=n4V8kThuFKKWB4kpacQSCA

[TomG]

Can't wait to see images out of this thing :) The Hubble was my hero, but this should outclass it.

[Nejc Kilar]

I'm super excited about JWST and just everything space related we humans are doing. Would be nice if we'd be taking better care of the planet we are on but... That's another topic.

Exciting times, hope we'll see some nice space renders in the gallery too, really like those :)

[Kevin Hall]

I hope that will be so. This year is really full of events. All we've got is just to wait. And it is the hardest part :)

[Kevin Hall]

Due to how many space events and space program innovations we have today I think we should always remember the roots.

Today you will read a small story about 3 big heroes: Laika, Belka and Strelka.

These dogs had used to be usual stray dogs until they were picked up to become astronauts.

Laika
The first animal ever sent to space. Unfortunately, she never came back.
Laika was launched to Low Earth orbit on November 3, 1957. She successfully reached the destination. She was circling the orbit for 103 minutes. She died due to the increase of the temperature.


Belka and Strelka
The main goal of this mission was to get the needed data in order to send a human to space.
Dogs were sent to the orbit on August 19, 1960.

During the flight, the ship made 17 complete orbits around the Earth. The dogs spent a day in space on 19 August 1960 before safely returning to Earth.
Both dogs died peaceably of old age.

More info here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/sad-story-laika-space-dog-and-her-one-way-trip-orbit-1-180968728/

[Kevin Hall]

Hey JWST how are you?

The telescope is cooling down now. Cooling is needed for the proper work of its infrared instruments. It is so exciting, so exciting to watch. It is such an honor to live at the same time while such great discoveries are being made.

Source: https://www.space.com/james-webb-space-telescope-chief-scientist-update

[BigAl3D]

Surprised to see a space thread, but it's a good place to post this. For all the European Corona users here, you will be getting a partial solar eclipse on October 25. Lucky dogs. This short animation shows the percentage of eclipse each area will see.