Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope reveals its first images

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 12 Feb 2022 15:41
  • 4 Shares
2 Min Read

The first images of isolated star HD 84406 have been released.

  • x
  • An artist's conception of the James Webb Space Telescope, made by NASA's multimedia specialist, Adriana Manrique Gutierrez.
    An artist's conception of the James Webb Space Telescope, made by NASA's multimedia specialist, Adriana Manrique Gutierrez.(NASA)

NASA today has unveiled the first images of the universe, taken by the latest technology, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). 

The images are put into a 'mosaic' that exposes the early stages of the JWST's 18 main mirror segments as they adjusted themselves to take clearer photos. 

Though the image is a bit blurry, it is deemed a good start as the process for the telescope to reach its full potential is a long one, the end-goal being to take "ultra-sharp" images of the distant Universe. 

The image, which exhibits 18 points of light, all depict HD 84406 - an isolated star. 

Related News

NASA discovers second Earth-sized planet in 'habitable zone'

James Webb telescope finds two of the oldest, most distant galaxies

Each primary mirror segment had its light collected, where it is also reflected back to the JWST's secondary mirror, then measured using the Near Infrared Camera, or NIRCam. The cam, which acts as a sensor, will be used throughout the JWST's alignment process to detect any optical errors.

  • 18 points of the same star, the HD 84406. This is the isolated star in the Ursa Major constellation, and it was chosen specifically because it is easily identifiable.
    18 points of the same star, the HD 84406. This is the isolated star in the Ursa Major constellation, and was chosen specifically because it is easily identifiable. (NASA)

 

  •  Each dot within the mosaic is labeled by the corresponding primary mirror segment that captured it. These initial results closely match expectations and simulation. (NASA)
    Each point in the mosaic is labeled by its corresponding primary mirror segment that captured it in the telescope. These results match expectations and simulation, according to JWST project scientist Michael McElwain. (NASA)

The generation of this mosaic took 25 hours, according to NASA. The 18 images of the isolated star, HD 84406, were taken from 1,500 images taken by the telescope.

Over the next few months, the mirror will begin to align after a number of adjustments the Webb will undergo - hence, the 18 starts in the mosaic will become one, as the 18 mirror segments will align to create a seamless surface.

The telescope was launched on Christmas Day last year. On January 4, the telescope successfully deployed its giant sunshield to keep its instruments cold. On January 8, its primary mirror was ready, and major developments were completed. Later on, on January 24, the Webb got to its final orbit. 

The anticipated clear images will be ready in the summer, as NASA predicts. However, the images present in the time being are also something to celebrate. 

“Launching Webb to space was of course an exciting event, but for scientists and optical engineers, this is a pinnacle moment, when light from a star is successfully making its way through the system down onto a detector,” JWST project scientist Michael McElwain said in a blog post.

Read more: James Webb telescope: Answering unanswered questions

  • James Webb Telescope
  • NASA

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS