Posted on 07/13/2022 9:00:43 AM PDT by Red Badger
(NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI)
This morning we were in a frenzy over a sneaky side-glimpse of a galaxy revealed in the first full-color James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) images.
But if you thought that was wild, then wait for this: it turns out JWST has also dropped some stealthy images of Jupiter! And they're ridiculously beautiful.
These images, taken while JWST was being tested, were provided in the JWST commissioning report.
umm who else saw this in the commissioning report document?? 😍😍😍😍🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯https://t.co/AzwQCf6rat pic.twitter.com/nq13fxdsAM
— Erin M. May, PhD (@_astronomay) July 12, 2022 The images, which you can see in greater detail below, show Jupiter and its rings as well as three of its moons: Europa, Thebe, and Metis.
You can also see the shadow of Europa in the image on the left, just next to the planet's tumultuous and infamous Great Red Spot.
Screen Shot 2022 07 13 at 11.58.42 am (NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI)
Above: The image on the left was taken by the JWST Near-Infrared Camera using a filter that highlights short wavelengths. The image on the right is taken with a filter that highlights long wavelengths of light.
The images were taken by JWST's Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and they use two different filters which highlight separate wavelengths of light.
Part of the test was ensuring that JWST could track fast-moving objects through the Solar System.
For this, JWST photographed nine targets, and Jupiter was the slowest moving – but, as you can see, one of the most stunning.
The test also showed that it's possible to use JWST to photograph details like moons and rings around a planet as bright as Jupiter.
"Observing a bright planet and its satellites and rings was expected to be challenging, due to scattered light that may affect the science instrument employed, but also the fine guidance sensor must track guide stars near the bright planet," the commissioning report explains.
"These observations verified the expectation that guide star acquisition works successfully as long as Jupiter is at least 140" away from the FGS, consistent with pre-flight modeling."
This is all good news as it means JWST will be useful at tracking things like near-Earth objects and comets.
Overall, the commissioning report shows that JWST is performing even better than expected.
"The key outcome of six months of commissioning is this: JWST is fully capable of achieving the discoveries for which it was built. JWST was envisioned 'to enable fundamental breakthroughs in our understanding of the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars, and planetary systems'," the authors write in the report.
"We now know with certainty that it will."
We're looking forward to more photo drops in the coming weeks and months!
WEBB PING!.......................
i want them to stare at Uranus..
Jupiter may look beautiful, but she’ll kill your dead if you go there. That’s vaguely familiar for some reason…
Interesting that the banding does not show up in the thermal IR image
that’s the liberals job
The ring, OTOH, is much more noticeable in the thermal image.
I wish I was young enough to train to be a space explorer and planet settler.
The moon is a harsh mistress.
And do what? Look for Klingons?
That’s amazing.......two pancakes, the one on the right has poppy seeds.....seriously it’s awesome that we can get that close to other planets. Good job!
Europa. Attempt no landing there.
I still think some of the pix taken by Hubbel of Saturn are some of the most incredible photos ever taken, anywhere.
I’m here all week
Stared at it for 10 seconds. I’m done.
What a butthole.
Did you know Uranus was originally named “George”?
Not joking. Named after King George of England by its discoverer.
All the others are yours to share in peace.
That only happens when you use Charmin.
I have seen better pictures of Jupiter from the JUNO spacecraft. Much better picture quality and colors.
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