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You have to consider that JWST is working at much longer wave lengths than Hubble. So the resolution isn't much better than Hubble, if at all. Resolution of an
by _ph_ 4y ago
You have to consider that JWST is working at much longer wave lengths than Hubble. So the resolution isn't much better than Hubble, if at all. Resolution of an optical instrument is limited by diameter over wave length. So despite its much larger mirror, it doesn't pull more resolution than hubble.
Where it excels at is, first looking at wave lengths so far invisible by any larger telescope. Hubble can't observe at those wave lengths and they are virtually invisible from earth, as the atmosphere basically absorbs any light at those wave lengths.
Also, it has almost 10x as much surface area than Hubble. So it will collect vastly more light than Hubble, as can be seen by the deep sky pictures available so far, taken in a fraction of time compared similar Hubble pictures.
The limited targetting control doesn't matter from a scientific perspective. There is a many years long waiting list for observations. During a year, the telescope is able to hit every spot on the sky, so the observations are just done in the order given by the telescope.
- moffkalast 4y agoAh fair enough, I hadn't considered the wavelength impact on resolution. That makes at least some sense. > Hubble can't observe at those wave lengths and they are virtually invisible from earth coughs in Spitzer > The limited targetting control doesn't matter from a scientific perspective. I would argue that it does matter in the case of specific events like the DART impact. Having it in its field of view was either extensive planning or dumb luck. I really don't see how it was too complicated to add one pitch servo, hell having a full robotic arm is even planned for LUVIOR.