4 ms·

I wonder when it can start observing.

by coldcode 5y ago

fotta 5y ago
It'll take a few weeks after L2 insertion to cool the components and another 5 months to calibrate the instruments.
- dylan604 5y ago
  I'm hoping that the 5 months of calibration time is one of those where the engineers were asked "how long", so they thought about it and then padded the shit out of it, then the PMs took that number and padded it yet again. After all that, it only takes a few weeks. It'll be the first milestone JWST would meet early, so not too likely. We've only waited decades, so a few more months isn't that bad. At least it is off the ground now!
  - taftster 5y ago
    I can tell, you're an engineer. Of some variety.
    - dylan604 5y ago
      I only play one on TV ;-) Then again, it's not a unique situation for an engineer. It's the same for any situation for construction (and related jobs) estimates, auto-repair, etc. You always want to lean on over estimating time and finishing "early" vs the opposite.
  - terramex 5y ago
    Similar question was just asked during press conference and the answer was "telescope is cooling a bit faster than we simulated but it is not a significant difference, it might be ready one or two days ahead of current estimation". Current timeline is for getting all 4 cameras to work, but I think only one needs cryogenic cooling, other 3 could work with just sunshield. In another answer one of the engineers said that first images will be released once telescope is fully operational (aka all 4 instruments cooled down).
    - max-ibel 5y ago
      Surely, it can take pics during this time with suboptimal cooling. Probably hard to resist the temptation:) There might be good engineering reasons to experiment early, like testing comms systems etc
      - terramex 5y ago
        It will surely take plenty of engineering and calibration photos during that time. I don't think they will be published instantly because telescope operators want to make a 'wow' effect with first photos from JWST. Here is first technical image from Hubble, before its mirror's flaw was discovered: https://stsci-opo.org/STScI-01EVTBEME0059ASGX8X3DFWZMX.jpg https://stsci-opo.org/STScI-01EVTBEME0059ASGX8X3DFWZMX.jpg
  - terramex 5y ago
    > Some high priority scientific observations (GTO & GO) with the JWST are likely to be carried out during the commissioning period, since it is clearly desirable to begin to take science data as early as is technically feasible. > Early Release Observations (EROs) will be taken by JWST during both the commissioning and post-commissioning phases of operation. These observations will be chosen to have wide public appeal and are designed to demonstrate the capabilities of the JWST instruments. Publication or reporting in any form of results of these observations is embargoed until the EROs are released. https://jwst-docs.stsci.edu/jwst-opportunities-and-policies/jwst-general-science-policies/nasa-smd-policies-and-guidelines-for-the-operations-of-jwst-at-stsci/policy-4-post-launch-commissioning-of-jwst https://jwst-docs.stsci.edu/jwst-opportunities-and-policies/... There is a chance for first images to be released before commissioning is complete.
- deleted 5y ago
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I wonder when it can start observing.

fotta 5y ago

It'll take a few weeks after L2 insertion to cool the components and another 5 months to calibrate the instruments.

dylan604 5y ago
I'm hoping that the 5 months of calibration time is one of those where the engineers were asked "how long", so they thought about it and then padded the shit out of it, then the PMs took that number and padded it yet again. After all that, it only takes a few weeks. It'll be the first milestone JWST would meet early, so not too likely. We've only waited decades, so a few more months isn't that bad. At least it is off the ground now!
- taftster 5y ago
  I can tell, you're an engineer. Of some variety.
  - dylan604 5y ago
    I only play one on TV ;-) Then again, it's not a unique situation for an engineer. It's the same for any situation for construction (and related jobs) estimates, auto-repair, etc. You always want to lean on over estimating time and finishing "early" vs the opposite.
- terramex 5y ago
  Similar question was just asked during press conference and the answer was "telescope is cooling a bit faster than we simulated but it is not a significant difference, it might be ready one or two days ahead of current estimation". Current timeline is for getting all 4 cameras to work, but I think only one needs cryogenic cooling, other 3 could work with just sunshield. In another answer one of the engineers said that first images will be released once telescope is fully operational (aka all 4 instruments cooled down).
  - max-ibel 5y ago
    Surely, it can take pics during this time with suboptimal cooling. Probably hard to resist the temptation:) There might be good engineering reasons to experiment early, like testing comms systems etc
    - terramex 5y ago
      It will surely take plenty of engineering and calibration photos during that time. I don't think they will be published instantly because telescope operators want to make a 'wow' effect with first photos from JWST. Here is first technical image from Hubble, before its mirror's flaw was discovered: https://stsci-opo.org/STScI-01EVTBEME0059ASGX8X3DFWZMX.jpg https://stsci-opo.org/STScI-01EVTBEME0059ASGX8X3DFWZMX.jpg
- terramex 5y ago
  > Some high priority scientific observations (GTO & GO) with the JWST are likely to be carried out during the commissioning period, since it is clearly desirable to begin to take science data as early as is technically feasible. > Early Release Observations (EROs) will be taken by JWST during both the commissioning and post-commissioning phases of operation. These observations will be chosen to have wide public appeal and are designed to demonstrate the capabilities of the JWST instruments. Publication or reporting in any form of results of these observations is embargoed until the EROs are released. https://jwst-docs.stsci.edu/jwst-opportunities-and-policies/jwst-general-science-policies/nasa-smd-policies-and-guidelines-for-the-operations-of-jwst-at-stsci/policy-4-post-launch-commissioning-of-jwst https://jwst-docs.stsci.edu/jwst-opportunities-and-policies/... There is a chance for first images to be released before commissioning is complete.
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