Anyone following this successor to the Hubble that will be launched in less than 3 years? Ive known about it for a while but finally just dove into the hard science of it and its really incredible.
I've posted a public note on Facebook if anyone wants the TLDR version with some pictures,
https://www.facebook.com/notes/hunter-lind/tldr-the-james-webb-telescope/10153361692282956
Since it uses infrared light, and has a beryllium and gold mirror 7 times larger in volume than Hubble, it will be able to see the absolute very first stars and galaxies ever created in our universe. It will be groundbreaking stuff.
It can also view details on our own planets which is a nice addition.
And can see the details on Lincoln's face from 46 miles away, and a golf-ball from 340 miles away clearly. Epic.
Artist rendition:
Full scale model:
