The James Webb Space Telescope will soon launch into space, but before it has even left, the technologies used in its construction are already finding uses back here on Earth.
NASA is responsible for more Earth-bound technologies than just space ice cream; the organization’s research has led to everything from new kinds of artificial limbs to better fire-fighting equipment (and don’t forget Tang). While at SXSW, I had the chance to check out a full-scale model of the giant James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a 21-foot in diameter telescope that will be sent into space in 2018 to find the first galaxies that formed in our universe.
JWST has already taught us a lot, even though it has yet to be launched. That’s because new technologies had to be invented just to make it work. Below, some of the highlights.
DIAGNOSING EYE DISEASES MORE EFFICIENTLY
In order to measure the shape of the telescope’s mirrors (they’re aspheres, or lenses with shape profiles that aren’t cylinders or spheres), NASA had to invent better sensing technology. The result: the Scanning Shack-Hartmann Sensor, a new kind of measurement device that can also be used to better measure the shape of human eyes in a matter of seconds instead of hours. The technology has the potential to improve surgery and better diagnose eye diseases.
TESTING MATERIALS STRENGTH
A lot of strength testing goes into telescope production–especially for a telescope that will be operating in -450 degree F weather. Thanks to JWST, a company called 4D Technologies had the opportunity to develop new techniques to measure composite materials. James Millerd, president of 4D Technology Corporation, explained in a statement: “Technology developed for the Webb telescope has also helped 4D Technologies to develop unique technology to measure strain in composite materials.” As we start building with crazier material than just wood and concrete, the testing that originated in the JWST could be invaluable.
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- Stunning telescope image shows 'God's Hand' reaching across the Milky Wayon May 8, 2024 at 5:00 pm
A stunning new telescope image from space shows what looks like a hand reaching across the universe. It's being nicknamed "God's Hand." It's about 1,300 light years away from Earth in our Milky Way Galaxy, in the constellation Puppis. The image captured a ...
- U of A alum receives Medal of Freedom for work on Webb telescopeon May 8, 2024 at 10:00 am
NASA astrophysicist Jane Rigby, a University of Arizona alum who played a major part in the success of the James Webb Space Telescope, has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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- James Webb telescope peers at the atmosphere of a rocky hell worldon May 8, 2024 at 6:43 pm
Webb recently investigated the exoplanet 55 Cancri e, finding what could be the first atmosphere of a rocky planet discovered outside the solar system.The Latest Tech News, Delivered to Your Inbox ...
- U of A alum receives Medal of Freedom for work on Webb telescopeon May 8, 2024 at 10:00 am
NASA astrophysicist Jane Rigby, a University of Arizona alum who played a major part in the success of the James Webb Space Telescope, has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- James Webb Space Telescope makes ‘exciting’ discovery about origins of ‘monster’ black holeson May 8, 2024 at 3:27 am
Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have harnessed the JWST for some eye-opening discoveries.
- Cosmic 'seeds': James Webb Space Telescope unravels early universe mysterieson May 8, 2024 at 2:40 am
Nasa's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has made groundbreaking observations of the light from stars surrounding some of the earliest supermassive bl.
- James Webb Space Telescope suggests supermassive black holes grew from heavy cosmic 'seeds'on May 7, 2024 at 11:00 am
"Our results imply that in the early universe, supermassive black holes might have gained their mass before their host galaxies did, and the initial black hole seeds could have been more massive than ...
- NASA James Webb Space Telescope: 10 spectacular science images shot in 2024on May 4, 2024 at 10:59 pm
This image was captured with the help of Hubble and James Webb space telescopes. The galaxy is located about 130 million light-years from Earth.
- Did the James Webb Space Telescope really find life beyond Earth? Scientists aren't so sureon May 3, 2024 at 9:30 am
Reports of life signs detected in the atmosphere of the potential ocean world K2-18 b may have been premature.
- James Webb telescope spots wind blowing faster than a bullet on '2-faced planet' with eternal nighton May 3, 2024 at 9:20 am
New James Webb Space Telescope observations of the exoplanet WASP-43b reveal that the hot gas giant is tidally locked, meaning one side permanently faces its sun while the other always stares out into ...
- No, the James Webb Space Telescope probably didn't detect signs of alien life — but it soon couldon May 3, 2024 at 3:00 am
The James Webb Space Telescope's possible detection of biological chemicals on the exoplanet K2-18b may just have been methane gas, a new study cautions. Planned follow-up observations could solve the ...
- James Webb Space Telescope captures incredible new images of the Horsehead Nebulaon May 1, 2024 at 8:14 am
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope released the clearest infrared images to date of the Horsehead Nebula which is part of the constellation Orion.
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