Thread by @starstryder

Ok, seminar stuff about this giant new shiny IR telescope that may or may not launch later this year.

So far, it’s the same info seen since I was in grad school, but with better images & animations.

Reminder, JWST was supposed to launch in 2007.

No, I’m not bitter.

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This presentation is acknowledging how ALMA is really doing amazing science that we really thought would have to wait until JWST launched.

Scientists will find a way to science!

This ground-based array is using its limited wavelengths to see star+Planet formation.

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From the ground, our atmosphere blocks & blurs many molecular lines - like water - but if JWST works (how do you say “break a leg" in telescope?) it will see more details, & will see what science data is blocked by our atmosphere’s water.

We really need to do IR from space.

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Beyond seeing colors we can’t see from Earth (because atmosphere), JWST also sees shorter wavelengths than ALMA. It will be able to unqiuely resolve young exoplanets & planetary disks.

This includes planned attempts to resolve giant exoplanets around Alpha Centauri A.

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During first year of science, JWST plans to ovserve 70 different transiting planets, including TRAPPIST 1 system and 55 Cancri e, a lava world. JWST may be able to see water in atmospheres.

This is much awaited followup work.

Especially awated by TESS observers.

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Once upon a time, JWST was supposed to launch so it and Spitzer would trade off IR observing duties. Then… when launch got bumped to 2018, the plan was TESS and JWST would work together to observe exoplanets. The plan was TESS discovers & JWST would measure atmospheres.

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TESS launched in April 2018 on a 2-year mission.

Luckily it still works. There's hope it’s original mission plan will still, one day, be used. Maybe.

TESS isn’t meant to measure orbits, just to catch transits, and in real time have JWST do followup.

I feel for TESS folks.

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(My brain just wandered into a day dream land of “What if TESS and JWST launched together” and there was this dancing illustration of the two telescopes. The little TESS was holding solar panels with JWST and dragging it between worlds. I wish that had happened.)

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ok, trying to focus again…

The seminar is now detailing how JWST will resolve Titan (it will be 8 pixels across) just enough to maybe see seasonal changes. Other moons like Europa are also targeted, as are comets, & even outer solar system objects unknownwhen JWST Planned.

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I personally hold out hope that LSST => Vera Rubin Observatory will find @plutokiller’s Planet IX and JWST will be able to describe it in detail.

May it launch.

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@plutokiller The seminar just ended without addressing the fairing issues…. huh.

Asking question...

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@plutokiller ok, we’re in Q&A. My Q on name came up first and the answer was (paraphrasing) “We’re aware of the problem, working with historians to understand the history, and we note his efforts led to the NASA we have today.” Repeat - paraphrase.

Impression: Anything could happen.

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@plutokiller Another good Q brought up by @StartsWithABang : How long can JWST function given propellant?

A: It depends on how effectively it makes it to L2. Ideally: more than 10 years. Nominally: 10 years.

They didn’t mention worst case, which is goes boom on launch.

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@plutokiller @StartsWithABang No new info on the Fairing issue. Will wait and see how next two launches of Ariana 5 rockets go and then finalize schedule.

And that ends the seminar…

I was really hoping someone would ask about concerns about pirates. Oh well. Next time.

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