Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains the James Webb Space Telescope

What is the James Webb Space Telescope? On this explainer, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice explain the JWST and all the science behind it with the help of Chief NASA scientist Jim Green.
What is JWST looking for? Will it be a replacement for Hubble? We explore the different wavelengths of light and how JWST will let us peer into the past. Is JWST essentially a time machine? What sort of objects will it help us see? Can it track objects within our solar system? We break down where the telescope will be pointed first and where it will be launched to. How far away will the JWST be from Earth? What is L2 and where is it? Finally, we attempt (and fail) at getting over the excitement of launching something that has never existed before!
Get the NEW Cosmic Queries book (5/5 ⭐s on Amazon!): amzn.to/3dYIEQF
Support us on Patreon: / startalkradio
FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk:
KZbin: kzbin.info...
Twitter: / startalkradio
Facebook: / startalk
Instagram: / startalk
About StarTalk:
Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!
#StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

[@StarTalk]

We forgot to mention that we posted a full episode about the James Webb Space Telescope, oops! Click here to watch 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6muq5tsntGAl9U

[@iamShorteh]

Amazing work, thank you!

[@Ash888Mohd]

Proxima Centauri B

[@tomasinacovell4293]

Non, it's more that it's different and more powerful in that is like comparing one graphics card to another 3 generation later in that they say it's hundreds of times more powerful but it's really only 20% better simply works with the latest drivers.

[@wanttoseemore4596]

Q: The base has a reflective surface would it cause some type of feedback on the lens? My thought is it would be the greatest black to avoid this.

[@RobertSlover]

please mute Chuck Nice!

[@TheExoplanetsChannel]

It's exciting to know Webb might take the *_first image of Proxima b!_*

[@Robert_McGarry_Poems]

Might...😶 Let's have this conversation in six months...🥶

[@louisrobitaille5810]

Good luck taking a picture/image in infrared...

[@thethirdman225]

@@louisrobitaille5810 Of course you can.

[@mxb2432]

@@louisrobitaille5810 🤣🤦🏽

[@rickkwitkoski1976]

@@louisrobitaille5810 interesting comment All digital cameras (I think) have sensors that can detect IR. But they have a filter in front of the sensor that blocks the IR. SO... You can take the camera, remove that IR filter, ADD a visible light filter (say over the lens itself), and then take images in IR. It is quite easy to do. The images that you get are B/W in nature but they are very much IR images. ALSO! Try this. Take a standard remote control that you would use on your "TV" monitor. Click a button while looking at the sensor. Don't worry. It is IR!!!! It can't harm you. You see nothing. Now take your "smart" phone or any digital camera and look at the sensor through the camera. Click a button. SEE! A little white light now shows up!!! The camera takes the IR and senses it. BUT for you to see it, obviously, it must display it in visible light. No. WE cannot see the IR light itself. But it can be made visible to us via some electronic manipulation. Kinda the same thing as not "seeing" radio waves. But since those carry radio and TV signals to us, we use devices to convert the information on those carrier waves into what we CAN sense, sound and light!

[@bigdawg7703]

The most important scientific achievement of mankind to date. Just the thought of going back in time should make any human being on earth just wonder in amazement. We all must hope and pray it's mission goes exactly as planned. Just imagine what we will begin to learn about the Universe and it's beginning from the telescope? I am 63 and can only hope I'm alive to experience some of James Webbs exploration results. Can't wait.

[@niladisify3811]

Well back in time is something our telescopes have already done and doing. James webb is going to be stationed in a better spot in Solar system to observe in infrared. Having only 10 years life time is disappointing but hope they expand its serviceability.

[@michaelwachendorf2096]

@@niladisify3811 I couldn't agree with you more. I looked this telescope up its life span is only 5.5 years with enough fuel for 10yrs in hopes it could last the full 10 yrs. But I agree still very disappointing for 10 billion dollars. They better find life on another planet. For 10 billion dollars

[@Navhkrin]

I strongly disagree. This will increase our knowledge but it has slim chance of being transformative, we have things such as invention of computers that has changed our entire lives and will keep changing lives and it is what has led to this point and it is what will lead to advanced AI.

[@johnmiller9953]

you are 63 and have the name Big Dawg?

[@me888ize]

Yeah let’s go to church and pray , 😂

[@gradycollins3601]

I’ve always been amazed by the way Neil Tyson Degrasse explains what is unknown to most. I feel as if I am a moth being drawn into his unrelenting knowledge. Thank you Mr. Tyson.

[@kp6215]

Me Too

[@aurora9252]

Yes he really knows how to explain things to the general public

[@MrOrangeonion]

LOOL

[@mercyreign969]

Oh goodness me.

[@keithmo80]

Wait till you read about how he treats women lol

[@IwasInThe60s]

I cannot even begin to describe how much joy Neil and Chuck provides me. I so wish I could have had them as dinner guests.🚀

[@erikhendrickson59]

PLEASE continue to invite Mr. Green back after his retirement from NASA! He's always a fantastic guest to provide insight into all things NASA!

[@urduib]

Normally startalk is 60 min. This was to short.

[@will_9342]

I am a neanderthal when it comes to space exploration and astronomy yet I feel soo at ease when I listen to these amazingly intelligent people. It makes me want to improve myself and improve my understanding of where we live. This telescope could unfold so many secrets of our existence.

[@pseudophp]

i simple caveman i see neanderthal i click like see you in space, lest you get hit in the face with a mace

[@patrick6213]

I found out today a guy who went to the church I was made to go to as a kid and is friends with my parents has worked as a thermal systems engineer on the project for like the past decade. He’s going to be at the launch tomorrow. Really cool. I am beyond excited for this to launch and for it to start expanding our knowledge of the cosmos.

[@berniethekiwidragon4382]

I saw the footage in the command centre. Everybody looked so tense. All their fingers would have been crossed if they weren't busy.

[@learnshare]

Good energy, great talk.

[@albundy7198]

The guest didn’t answer any of the questions but two that he was asked he pivoted everytime he was asked a good question like what’s is JWST aimed at first.

[@randallboone9375]

@@albundy7198 pretty sure he said they were gonna check out our own solar system first, everything past Mars. Just took him about 5 min to explain it. Lol

[@nathanmays7926]

4:30 what do you look at first? After watching 100 videos on JWST across 20 different channels, leave it to Chuck to finally ask the one question I’ve been thinking the whole time.

[@wagner55]

And it went unanswered, did I miss it?

[@strategicsage7694]

@@wagner55 Nope, you didn't. They are keeping that information secret for the time being.

[@Outland9000]

I'm more excited for JWST launch than I am for Christmas to be honest.

[@patrick6213]

Same! Can’t wait to see what it uncovers!

[@victoryoso4955]

@@patrick6213 it is already on space! a very nice present for humanity on christmas =)

[@patrick6213]

@@victoryoso4955 I thought it launches on Christmas Day?

[@artbydhroov5527]

@@patrick6213 it's gonna launch in a few hours

[@rkstudios450]

It's Christmas day and I'm watching Webb videos. Equally excited.

[@samerghazoul3934]

This is the best program on the Internet, thank you NDT I’m watching this from Syria

[@Rob-eg8qc]

I think so to. Merry Christmas from England UK.

[@J.D.Mc.]

I hope they go over some of the iconic areas they did with Hubble and do a comparison. I'll bet difference will be breathtaking. 😍👍🏻

[@SlashRfnR]

different tools for different things. Unnecessary. We need new info on to be confirmed phenomena or to see the most distant objects in time, which is made easier by the IR telescope.

[@Gioeufshi]

I think the flagship model will have better pics.

[@J.D.Mc.]

Both very valid points. I have no doubt the new things this baby will see will be as incredible as the things the hubble first saw when it came out. That being said im still curious to see a comparison . 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@pedromontalvoolivo6392]

That's the whole idea of this new telescope. They looked at some areas with Hubble and found either too much dust or an area more empty that it should be. Dust can block most visible light, and many objects are only radiating light in the infrared wavelengths so Hubble would only see an empty space in many areas and too much dust in others.

[@marcovalentinoalvarado3290]

yeesss very interesting thought, although I'm looking forward for every plan this telescope has to carry out, I bet that there are plenty of new things waiting for discovery!

[@josephdonais3436]

I am a 58yro now who, in my thirties saw JWT in a red and white suit... In all these years preceding this I could only wish you had the shine of a red nose to deliver sooner. Though I have run out of gas in my enthusiasm I still hope to be amazed... one more time before my experience expires. gl!

[@Foxintox]

Small correction : at 9:38 it’s actually 920 000 not 920 000 000 miles ^^ The latter would put the L2 pretty close to the orbit of Saturn , which would in fact make the janitor’s trip a fair bit longer ! Great interview though !

[@keppela1]

Ha, "small correction" ... more like order of magnitude correction! Thanks for pointing out.

[@nichogold4434]

Thank you! I was confused, "Isn't the sun like 93 million miles??"

[@johndavidwolf4239]

@@keppela1 : Actually three orders of magnitude.

[@vivelajonny]

You're wrong

[@keppela1]

@@johndavidwolf4239 Ha, quite right. Good thing I didn't make a video about it : )

[@juliocepeda3896]

Hope everything goes well tomorrow This launch is really important for mankind.

[@michaelwillette5837]

I love you.

[@coryleblanc]

why?

[@michaelwillette5837]

@@coryleblanc Well, to explain it as easily and quickly as possible: The Hubble telescope is in Earths lower orbit. It's brought us almost everything we understand about our own cosmos. It's the only reason our beloved Marvel hero movies have some accurate depiction of space. It's the only reason we partially understand planet, star and galaxy formation. JWST is 100x more powerful than Hubble and can also observe in the infrared wavelength of electromagnetic radiation. This is huge. Much love

[@friendlyatheist9589]

Oh so you love space? Never every galaxy

[@afrasm2478]

@@michaelwillette5837 how tf does someone like me with no knowledge of space nd stuff understand. nd where exactly to start with

[@simonshawca]

Wow! The fact that the telescope is in orbit around the Sun, not Earth and is being dragged along by Earth, is absolutely amazing!

[@austinbru]

L-2 is such a strange phenomenon to wrap you head around. SO cool.

[@pseudophp]

Sick visualization. + L2 is 1.5 million km from Earth. Hubble is 500km above Earth, the Moon is 400.000 km away.. sick.

[@seanmangan2769]

Thank you, Neil. These are exciting times and I love the way you explain things. I appreciate your time.

[@tothemoon9472]

I hope that I will live long enough to see the images that this telescope will capture.

[@En_Plein_Debribu]

You just have to stay alive for another month. 😉

[@darkhanvasilev7080]

Actually about 6 months, but still doable

[@coolgamer3646]

Not if I have anything to do with it.

[@drewjohn6847]

What incredible, humble, insanely intelligent men you are.... Sometimes I wish I didn't love this subject, it's just sooooo hard to wrap my head around some things, it drives me crazy...

[@Rob-eg8qc]

Dear Carl i so wished you was still with us all to witness and take part in these adventures of humanities awe-inspiring advancements. We have a long way to yet but having you on board would be awwwsome.

[@Harlemworldboy]

Chuck brings much personality to this broadcast.

[@kwesisalim]

He brings the fun by bringing the silliness many people result to with information that flies over their head. But the way the show is designed we don't stay there. Neil is always the to bring the conversation back giving the mind some time to process. It's really a great program they built. Wish i had something like this growing up.

[@wrknhvc7708]

I’m honesty very happy I get to witness this historical moment in my lifetime

[@KC.801]

Unless you die before it happens 😔

[@andrewolson5471]

Considering what we've learned from the Hubble space telescope, I'm excited for the things we could find with the James Webb space telescope.

[@ChickADD44]

P.S. sharing this clip with my local astronomy club... they'll love it too! (esp. those newer to the hobby).

[@cool_esa_stargirl]

I am soooooo excited about this telescope! As an aspiring ESA astronaut I am proud ESA takes part in this project along with all the other space agencies! 👩🏻‍🚀

[@jeremyt7722]

Best of luck on your journey! The only way for meaningful space exploration will be countries working together towards a common goal.

[@StarTalk]

We hope you reach all your goals and more!

[@mayagreenwald293]

I appreciate everything you do for us Dr. Tyson, My boyfriend is homeless and one of the main things that keeps his head up is watching your videos everyday. Keep up the incredible work brother!

[@letsastronomy6390]

I livestreamed the launch kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYSyoqiNbdOsfNk please share ur views:)

[@wags83]

I absolutely love this! Can anyone recommend a source for the more specific experiments / plans that they're looking to do in the first months / year?

[@pcjenkin]

This is AWESOME. Observation is always the definitive means to gather data. Observation of impossibly distant galaxies, quasars, black holes, and nebula will undoubtedly advance our knowledge of our existence itself.

[@kiroshi32]

I'm excited for all the stuff we are not expecting to find. Can't wait to know 6-7 months from now.

[@UCjNrKLyRJI-abFA8qiNo92Q]

Multiverse CONFIRMED!

[@1eyedjedi666]

I love listening to you talk I fall asleep to the things you talk about so I can dream of the stars

[@emmanuelpetrakakis3749]

Thank you for all the enlightening documentaries you are our current Sagan! It is these milestones scientific technical and exploration of space that take humanity forward! And provide prosperity.

[@earlcheatham9152]

I love mr. Degrass..he makes all that long head..space stuff super cool..which will help the next generation pay more attention to our inner and outer solar system.

[@dereckwallace1428]

This was very interesting. Can't wait to see watch it shows us.

[@Statickification]

Same here!

[@DallasOfDaJoVu]

I'm so excited for the James Webb Space Telescope!!!!! I can't wait to see what it see, and what we can learn from the images. Exciting times!!!

[@marcbee1234]

@@weathergirl369cloud Thanks for the inside!

[@next-gen-gamer2715]

Don't get too excited going to be the same images like hubble

[@Mikhail-Tkachenko]

@@next-gen-gamer2715 Lol

[@caviestcaveman8691]

@@Mikhail-Tkachenko I mean he isn't wrong ill wait to be proved wrong but there is a point of diminishing returns and any science that is actually relevant

[@Gemini_Godhand]

Their candid humor is infectious! I'm gonna make a playlist and binge watch later on.

[@greenthumbbe]

Happy retirement ,Mr.Green ! Thanks you for your live`s work ,contribution to our society and helping us answer humanities big questions. Respect and ENJOY !!gonna miss your talks, explaining things as Chief scientist

[@aaronbernath3554]

Imagine we point the JWST at the same empty spot the hubble did, and there's even more galaxies between the ones hubble found

[@Ketch509totheworld]

They should do it actually.

[@AmandaComeauCreates]

Likely going to do just that since it's meanto prove whether there IS more

[@aaronbernath3554]

Or aliens trolling us 😎

[@promo130]

Then there are a few 100 million more Is that a big deal? Not really Better look at planets that are closer, So they can find live Nasa wasting so much time and money on missions that are useless, just like mars , how many rovers? On a dead planet where you find nothing, just dust and sand , what a waste,

[@aaronbernath3554]

@@promo130 Fair enough lol. Only if they have spare time. Closer planets are a better use of time. But I disagree that Mars is a waste of time

[@sandurai1]

I’m so hyped up the new possibilities that human kind are going to see

[@banjobandit3270]

And the fact that we are in the infant stages of space exploration. Crazy where it will be a long time from now

[@mdeluxe1929]

Love Jim Greene. Met him at San Diego Comic Con years ago! It was his first time being at SDCC and we were waiting through previous panels and there were hundreds who could not get into the panel because tons were waiting through two or three panels before their panel. I had stepped out to get a pretzel and had noticed him in line because he had his name badge. Nobody knew who he was before the panel. We chatted it up and I talked about how I was a teacher and how big this panel was and he did not believe me. We were supposed to continue our talk after the panel, but he was mobbed by a bunch of people afterwards who suddenly knew who he was. He is a great guy and I wish him well into his retirement.

[@raymondparsley7442]

Science talk with a bit of humor, good stuff and much appreciated. Thanks.

[@Strugglebaddy616]

I love how he explains things.

[@Jakepianos]

“I can’t believe I locked myself out of my satellite!” LOL

[@AstroCitizenScience]

Dr. Green, your NASA Citizen Science video is one that I play for my students and at my guest speaking engagements, when I talk about citizen science. I'm sad you're retiring but that video will continue to be shared by me. Thank you for your service to NASA and thank you for what you've done for Citizen Science. I hope you enjoy retirement, it's well deserved. 😢

[@LewisJohniom]

I just wish to say something here. I watched the launch of JWST live on NASA's KZbin channel. I've been waiting for that launch and deployment for a long time, ever since I've first heard of this project back in the late 90's... This year, I've spent Christmas alone.. but I didn't regret it. I did not, because I know, I watched one of the greatest moments in Human History unfolding in front of my eyes. It felt like a Christmas present. It was a perfect launch and what a view it was when the first sunshield unfolded and the first rays of the Sun covered the the spacecraft in a glory of light..! And then I saw something, I still can't believe... Sure, it wasn't the first time... But this time, it was different. First, I saw only one appear in the far distance... Then came a whole swarm of it. No, it wasn't ice. I've seen hundreds of launches in my life, most of them live. I know, how ice can be built up on spacecrafts and rockets and what happens at separation, how those ice particles move and at what possible trajectories they follow. What I've seen now, was something totally different. No, not satellites. Satellites have fixed orbit, occasionally adjusted to avoid collisions with other space objects. Their speed is fixed and constant, so is their orbital track... What we've seen here, are not from this Earth. A launch like this had attracted the interest of many. Not only us, Humans. Soon, the Time is here, when all shall be Revealed.

[@bryonkidder6199]

As someone that is aware of their limited knowledge, this is mind blowing!...lol I can't wait to find out what it's able to see and what we are able to do with that information!

[@ahhhgoolagoon]

I know I know less than you!!!

[@golftourist7626]

I’d love to see a comparison of the GNZ-11 image taken by Hubble and see how this farthest known galaxy looks through JWST.

[@clydecessna737]

Happy New Year Dr Tyson.

[@phillipsandusky3795]

Chuck you were great on this one!

[@blogz]

Imma say: I will not be ok if that thing doesnt go up there smoothly.

[@hubbleenjoyer800]

Oh do I have news for you

[@meh895]

@@hubbleenjoyer800 wait what ? Did something happen?

[@hubbleenjoyer800]

@@meh895 it went well. I didn't mean to imply an accident, so im sorry if i pulled your leg there. Everything went smoothly and i hope the rest of the operation will as well

[@w-james9277]

I watched the launch live on christmas morning. My heart was in my mouth!

[@muhorozibb2777]

Hopefully it wasn't added to the menu though 😅😅

[@MGR1900]

If you were watching Fox News at that moment, they were talking about Christmas cookies and didn’t even cover the launch.

[@blessedveteran]

​​@MGR1900 😂 no one watches Fox

[@henryjoneit2918]

Glad l found you still doing STARTALK. Used to watch you on television. So l had to subscribe. Your friend from Simcoe Ontario Canada

[@Renedoc82]

thanks Gundam for explain me L2 (and L3, L4 and so on) before this

[@umairsaif1686]

I cant wait to see the images it will send back. I hope it finds something amazing which no one knew about. Best of luck NASA

[@MediaFaust]

I strongly suspect that no matter where you look in this universe, you'll find interesting things.

[@urduib]

Indeed

[@RatusMax]

@@urduib indeed sucks..I look all over the place and I still get nothing.

[@urduib]

@@RatusMax Have you looked under the bed at night ?

[@kanyesouth4817]

I love everything about this thank you 😩💓

[@michaelarrowood4315]

Great explainer! Thank you.

[@IMYOURWILL]

I love listening to Neil so much. I try to watch everything he does. What are we going to do when he’s gone one day. Who’s going to replace him. I don’t see anybody being able to connect with people there he does. Not looking forward to that day hopefully we have many more years with him

[@facitenonvictimarum174]

You might be gone before him, you never know.

[@gregg48]

He's especially good when he chimes in at Christmas *actualy*-ing and killing the Christmas spirit.

[@RayMerrell68]

Neil, you know, I know and NASA knows...in 7-8 years time they're going to announce a little autonomous robot in what looks like an iron-man suite with ion thrusters in it's heels and a backpack full of ion fuel, which will climb out of the ISS to great fanfare before jetting it's way to L2 with a jerry-can full of telescope fuel in one hand and a feather duster in the other. It's gonna happen and you heard it here first :)

[@Magnetarz]

Funny, I had the same thoughts! 💭

[@fernandomoreira2925]

7 years???😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@patrick6213]

To infinity, and the second Lagrange Point!

[@letsastronomy6390]

I livestreamed the launch kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYSyoqiNbdOsfNk please share ur views:)

[@Zandanga]

LOL .... Massimino 2 ... 😜

[@vssprc]

What a fun & interesting podcast/show. Thank you

[@bigmikesexcellentadventure6702]

I like your videos where you are the only one in them. You do great on your own.

[@mrmileskp]

Perseverance Mars Rover is still my top 3 favourite Star Talk episode.....welcome back Jimmy!!!!!

[@jamesoverholt878]

This may seem like a trivial question. But my dog loves laying in sunbeams. Is my dog technically an astronomer?

[@StarTalk]

I’m willing to say yes..

[@star.watchersteven3255]

Sounds more like it's a sun worshipper dog certainly do know how to live don't they this is an old thing maybe you. What's the difference between cats and dogs dog say who are these creatures that love me and care for me and feed me they must be gods a cat says who are these creatures that love me and take care of me and feed me I must be a god all go James Webb all go us

[@5gnetsolutions876]

He is, he's just thinking about the future of the world. Big questions for your Doggy.

[@wagner55]

Is your doggy a good boi? If so yes!

[@janetprice85]

Can't wait to see what they find. Hubble was amazing but this is exciting for an old geezer like me that grew up watching the first astronauts ride into space.

[@DanniSoRude]

Wish I could have seen that first hand

[@nfergistink110]

Hi, are you guys going to be keeping us up to date with any news from the James Webb telescope. I for one would like that, Thank you x

[@kilarukartheek7236]

It is interesting how they keep calling it JW instead of James Webb even though the latter has less syllables.

[@kellyrobinson1780]

We oughta call it "J-dub"!

[@robblevins6009]

@@kellyrobinson1780 honestly should be renamed

[@jameshickman8336]

@@kellyrobinson1780 or "Dubya"!!

[@PowerofRock24]

@@robblevins6009 No they shouldn't and they're not going to rename it.

[@waynekasmar4401]

It seems they're not such smart guys after all.

[@SqueakyFishy]

Dang, since 2007 they’ve been thinking and planning on this telescope. Amazing.

[@trees3987]

earlier than that even!

[@reignathousandyears9850]

1996

[@rithrius5384]

2007 was their original launch date i think. XD

[@maestroaxeman]

I'm in suspense over the launch tomorrow🤔 That thing is so intricate in unfolding for operation at the LaGrange-Point that I hope it goes up & deploys without incident🙏 I know people who worked on it.

[@leinads1057]

20+ years ago actually, before Hubble had even launched.

[@misteryummyearth1055]

Thanks for keeping the humour alive !!!!

[@ScornfulSix]

Man I'm actually really really excited to start seeing the photos from James Webb

[@Hydde87]

Great request from Neil. A lot of our greatest discoveries came at times we were not looking or looking for something else. It's probably hard to get that sold when you're on a multi billion budget, but I hope they'll get some time to freeride to telescope for a while and look at random places where they initially don't expect to see anything of importance.

[@mike1525]

When people complain about their tax dollars being spent on a telescope.. just remember in comparison to the 2021 defense budget, the cost of JWST is roughly 1% of that figure.

[@AmandaComeauCreates]

Such an important point to make. Thanks.

[@executivesteps]

Spread out over 20 years it was more like 1/20 of 1%.

[@ryanmilne5321]

9:35 Just a quick fact correction for anyone in the comments L2 is 1.5 million kilometers away not 920 million miles

[@B0ZA92]

it was honest slip, he meant 920 thousand miles.

[@douglaswilson1005]

The discussion of discretionary time is great. Have the ISS crews noticed anything unexpected?

[@llriggs75]

I’m so excited about this telescope! The images promise to be amazing! Love you guys Dr. Tyson and Chuck nice. Good looking men

[@star.watchersteven3255]

Yes my excitement is growing exponentially the future is ours to see and the past it will be good to have our baby pictures all go James Webb all go us

[@custossecretus5737]

Just so glad it launched ok. Don’t know when it will get to its destination and it has 6 months of testing. Fingers crossed because I can’t wait to see what it can find out.

[@zounds010]

it takes about a month to get to its destination.

[@AmazingMissKass]

never have I wanted to be friends with people so much! I love these explainers

[@The_Kayak_Guy.]

Are we the public going to have immediate access to all the images once James Webb comes online? Very excited to see what we’ve never seen before!

[@executivesteps]

NASA has set up 4 “early release teams”, one for each instrument. The goal is to get the first data out to the public within 6 months - if all goes well.

[@SammySidhu]

🚀amongst all of my friends, I’m the only one who is fascinated with space & time & the vastness of the universe… 🥺

[@blueberrydream8642]

I feel the same. Makes it feel like a lonely sport 😂

[@interplanetaryspecies9488]

It was the same thing for me,but now most of my friends can't stop asking questions😂 The thing is all humans are curious,i think we just need to remind them the beauty of the natural world around us! Start small try to scale down everything in a way that they can comprehend, because if you start big they will quickly lose interest😂 This worked for me🙂

[@loucat2779]

Don't sweat it Sammy, stay fascinated my friend. There's a lot of us out here!

[@stevesingkofer8879]

Jim Green's explanation that the L2 Lagrange point is "behind" the earth was confusing. I kept trying to picture the point following along Earth's orbit, trailing our planet by a million miles. Mr. Green didn't say that the LaGrange point was "behind the Earth from the Sun's point of view." That would have been much clearer. If anyone else was confused, it helped when I found it was actually a million miles further out in space outside of our orbit. Another way I thought of it was "a million miles to the left. Permanently."

[@nwagner0828]

He is mistaken on the position on L2, it is actually beyond the moon. L1 is between the earth and the Sun.

[@davidfuentes7942]

Ya he goofed there big time

[@barrypeterson6725]

This was outstanding..and really funny!

[@moceri55]

I work on a tugboat in NY harbor and I love the old school barge drawing behind him.

[@pabloa2228]

Most exciting to me will be the spectroscopy of the atmosphere of exoplanets

[@whoknowswhocares3804]

Just setup a station or port at each of the Lagrange points and you can service the telescopes with the engineers that stay on the bases there. Also you could start experimenting with the construction of space capable craft to transport cargo between the other Lagrange ports/stations, and eventually we can begin building our planets first "enterprise"/ capitol ship. Just a thought.

[@asapmimic1289]

That would be an engineering marvel in it’s own right. First we would need rockets capable of going multiple trips in and out of space with little maintenance once returned. Only few rockets like SpaceX currently have the ability to go into space and land back in one relative piece. Also the payload to travel to Lagrange point 2 and back would be immense. Next you would need the time to train engineers to go into space and service the telescope. Not only would they need to be knowledgeable with the telescope but also train for outer space. All this would require a buttload of money for little to no reward. NASA was using chunks of its budget just to build this thing. If NASA really wanted to keep the telescope in operation after the ten years then someone would have to take one for humanity and science and sacrifice themselves on a one way trip to refuel the JWST. Which, in all honesty, is not a bad way to go out. Unless, NASA or private space exploration companies can come up with a rocket capable of getting to L2 and back. Easier said than done.

[@MrFlytoskyyy2]

In reality, no $ incentive for anyone to do it.

[@juggalogamer9980]

getting a tour around NASA would be cool

[@wicked207]

Its an exciting time for space exploration!!

[@GComas-jn2yc]

Hi Neil! The JWST is gonna be a fascinating technology. Looking forward to expanding our knowledge about the universe we live in. First of all, I let you know that I am deaf and wants to thank you for making this video in English caption. Without this caption, no knowledge will be provided. Again, thank you. Now about the JWST, I’m so curious 🧐 to know if this new space telescope 🔭 can or can’t find the Voyager1 & 2? Still thinking 🤔 that these Voyagers might be too small for us to see them & possibly way too far away. Let me know what you think 🧐. Many thanks for your time to read my message & question.

[@Cococosm]

The aperture to distance ratio in the case of the JWST and the voyagers is ginormous, like many kilometres.. So ig for JWT to resolve the two interstellar travellers will be next to impossible. Hope this helps!

[@GComas-jn2yc]

@@Cococosm Greatly 👍🏽 helpful. I’ll be surprised 😮 if JWT can follow the trail that the Voyagers left behind & trace them. But if that’s impossible, might as well say “Bon voyage, Voyagers!”

[@Cococosm]

@@GComas-jn2yc Gladly 🙏 We can figure out their exact spatial position based on their planned trajectories, but seeing them in motion virtually can be tasking with (at least) these optical telescopes.

[@GComas-jn2yc]

Hi 👋🏽 again @jahvni Singh, I been seeing reports saying that the Hubble Telescope is now helping the disabled JWST. How is that possible?

[@SickHaloClips]

These videos always make me feel so dumb lol. Love watching them!!

[@knotsochice]

Fascinating and educational at 1.5 speed!

[@WeeSmokey]

Very intriguing stuff 👌

[@PGHdrift]

This is amazing in so many ways.

[@waterproof4403]

Imagine an astroid or some random space thing hits the telescope

[@TechNextLetsGo]

You definitely need to post a video about the early discoveries

[@brylidan]

love Neil and Chuck Nice videos they're awesome !!

[@snoozy04]

We will find great discoveries with this....trust and believe!!!

[@k0vert]

"I can't believe I locked myself out of my satellite!" Had me weak. Well played, Chuck

[@Akira-nw4jl]

Neil never fails to impress me!

[@m.g.chandrasekhar9399]

Extraordinary achiever . With my continued prayers & best wishes

[@edpotter1491]

Sir! I have never been happier than today that I have my own personal astrophysicist!! I am anxiously waiting for the explainer about the JWST's deep, deep field pictures showing galaxies that look just like those near us! Not what scientists predicted. Is it true that this disproves expansion? WOW!

[@johnwright291]

I think its highly strange that gold happens to be the best material for the mirror of the JWST. There ain't no second chances on the launch.

[@kp6215]

Chemistry

[@dewmontain123]

Gold gold gold hmmmmm..... gold was at the tip of the pyramid long ago. 🤔 anubis, flying saucers, inner earth lizard people. I think youre onto something

[@dnomyarnostaw]

Strange? Why WOULDN'T they pick the most reflective, inert metal for space usage?

[@johnwright291]

@@dnomyarnostaw nearly all commercial scopes use aluminum coating for mirrors. It just strikes me as weird that the second most valuable metal would have the best reflective value for infrared.

[@dnomyarnostaw]

@@johnwright291 the word is INERT! second only to Reflective! Detail is critical!

[@unimusband]

I wish this mission and everyone involved in it the best. Thank you for your work.

[@TommyHerbig]

I would love some graphic references with this video!! Looks great but needs visual cue