24-inch telescope observes JWST

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a 6-meter diameter space telescope, is set to produce spectacular images and redefine much of what we know about the universe. At a million miles from Earth, JWST is centered on a point in space known as L2, which allows it to stay in line with the Earth, while at sufficient distance to be shielded from any photons from the Sun or the Earth. JWST will start collecting science data in the summer of 2022, including data to be studied by Prof. Anne Jaskot and her students.

 

On Jan 26, 2022, Abby Kinney ’24, Michael Arena ’23, and Dr. Kevin Flaherty used the 24-inch telescope atop TPL to image JWST in its orbit. Taken over the course of 2 hours, the sequence of images below show JWST moving amongst the background stars. While faint, JWST is still clearly visible.

Sequence of images showing the motion of JWST
Click on me to see a video of JWST moving across the sky!
Sequence of images showing motion of JWST, with JWST labeled by a blue arrow.
Click on me to see a video of JWST moving across the sky, with JWST labeled!

 

These images were taken in concert with astronomy students at Colgate University and Wellesley College. Using simultaneous images from these three locations, we can measure the parallax of JWST, or the apparent difference in position of JWST as seen from the three locations. This parallax, shown in the sequence of images below, depends on the distance, allowing us to directly measure the distance to JWST.

Sequence of images showing the difference in position of JWST as seen by students at Williams, Colgate, and Wellesley.
Click on me to see how the position of JWST changes when viewed from different locations on Earth.