With amazing advancement in instrumentation, new data may (always?) appear that challenges existing theory. In this case:

Distant galaxies in Webb images suggest we need to rethink star and galaxy evolution in the early universe.

The very first results from the James Webb Space Telescope seem to indicate that massive, luminous galaxies had already formed within the first 250 million years after the Big Bang. If confirmed, this would seriously challenge current cosmological thinking. For now, however, that’s still a big “if.”

Shortly after NASA published Webb’s first batch of scientific data, the astronomical preprint server arXiv was flooded with papers claiming the detection of galaxies that are so remote that their light took some 13.5 billion years to reach us. Many of these appear to be more massive than the standard cosmological model that describes the universe’s composition and evolution.

“It worries me slightly that we find these monsters in the first few images,” says cosmologist Richard Ellis (University College London).

This is a very exciting (or terrifying, depending on your outlook!) time to be an astrophysicist or cosmologist. :^)

I have not gotten to the "Big Bang never happened and we live in a steady-state universe" phase, and will not for a while as there is much data required to collect and process, but we can be assured that James Webb is going to seriously challenge our estimates for the universe's age if nothing else.

We've never been able to see galaxies this far back as their light is 2-3x further redshifted than what we could see previously, and no instrument ever existed that could both receive those frequencies and image/resolve objects that distant. Only a month after its first images were received, cosmology is already being rocked... what will many years bring!?

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Jupiter's auroras shine in new images from James Webb Space Telescope.



Cheers.

James Webb telescope captures new detail in Phantom Galaxy.



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Mysterious rings seen around star in James Webb Space Telescope image.



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James Webb Space Telescope snaps mind-boggling image of Tarantula Nebula.


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James Webb telescope captures ghostly image of a celestial nautilus 32 million light-years from Earth.


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They just keep coming.

Webb telescope captures 'breathtaking' images of Orion Nebula.


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Houston, we have a problem.

One of Webb Telescope's Tools Has a Glitch.

The Webb Space Telescope has been dutifully beaming back incredible images of the cosmos since its “perfect” alignment earlier this year—but nothing is entirely perfect, even a $10 billion telescope. One of Webb’s observing mechanisms has apparently run into a bit of trouble, and mission engineers are working to figure out a solution.

On August 24, a mechanism used to support Webb’s medium-resolution spectroscopy (MRS) experienced “increased friction” while being set up for a science observation, NASA said in a blog post on Tuesday. The space agency called for a meeting of an anomaly review board on September 6 to “assess the best path forward.” As the board works to analyze the issue and develop strategies to resolve it, NASA has paused observations using this particular mode.

The MRS observing mode is part of Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), which uses a camera and a spectrograph to see light in the mid-infrared part of the spectrum (wavelengths that are longer than what human eyes can see). MIRI has four observing modes: imaging, coronagraphic imaging, low-resolution spectroscopy, and medium-resolution spectroscopy. MRS is useful for observing signals from the interaction of light and matter, like the emissions coming from molecules and dust in planet-forming disks.

The glitch in question affected a mechanism that functions like a “grating wheel” for the MRS observing mode, allowing scientists to select between short, medium, and longer wavelengths when making observations using that particular mode, according to NASA.

For now, that mode is on hold while NASA tries to fix the issue....

Cheers.

In our own solar system.

Exquisite NASA Webb Telescope Image Reveals Neptune's Delicate Rings.


Cheers.

Here's an exquisite brief fun summary of the JWST, and 'recent events' with Artemis get a mention also:


The Webb Telescope Images Are Deeply Inspiring To Neil deGrasse Tyson


What a fantastic way to expand our event horizon of ignorance!

Enjoy!!
Martin

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See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

James Webb telescope reveals the 'bones' of a distant galaxy in stunning new image.


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James Webb Space Telescope captures star-filled new images of the Pillars of Creation.


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James Webb Space Telescope captures dazzling 'galaxy merger' 270 million light-years away.


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For a good summary update, see:


Anton Petrov - James Webb Updates: Mind Blowing New Images and Unexpected Findings


Enjoy!

Keep searchin'!!
Martin

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See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Webb Telescope's Mid-Infrared Camera Is Fully Back in Action After Worrisome Glitch.

After a hiatus, one of Webb Space Telescopes cameras will be fully operational again following an engineering test that took place last week.

Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) will resume observations using its medium-resolution spectrometry (MRS) mode by November 12, NASA announced Tuesday in a blog post. The instrument had suffered a minor glitch on August 24 due to increased friction in one of MRS’ grating wheels. Since then, the Webb science team had paused observations using that mode.

Following an in-depth investigation, the team concluded that the glitch was likely caused by “increased contact forces between the wheel central bearing assembly’s sub-components under certain conditions,” NASA wrote. That particular mechanism essentially functions like a “grating wheel” for the MRS observing mode, allowing scientists to select between short, medium, and longer wavelengths when making observations.

The investigation team then developed a set of recommendations on how to use the grating wheel mechanism during science observations. On November 2, NASA ran through an engineering test with new operational parameters based on predictions of the friction in the wheel. The test was successful, and MRS got the green light to carry out science observations once again...

Cheers.

NASA releases new, 'fiery hourglass' protostar photo taken by James Webb Space Telescope.


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Just the sort news that all stargazers want to hear.

NASA may unlock future James Webb Space Telescope data.

Someday, you may be able to see fresh data from the James Webb Space Telescope as soon as the scientists who proposed gathering it do.

The James Webb Space Telescope (Webb or JWST) stunned the world in July, when scientists released the first science-quality images from the observatory. For now, however, the public are only allowed to see a fraction of the data the telescope is gathering. It's a hot competition to snag time using the observatory, and the winners are rewarded with both the observations and a one-year head start on analyzing them under the current system. But NASA is considering changing that policy and opening fresh data from the $10 billion observatory to the world at large, and scientists are divided....

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In Awe-Inspiring James Webb Telescope Image, Thousands of Galaxies Glow.


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Webb Telescope Finds Shock Wave Wreaking Havoc Among 5 Galaxies.


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1 down, many to go.

James Webb Space Telescope notches 1st rocky planet confirmation.

NASA's newest space telescope has notched another milestone with observations of its first rocky world.

A little over a year after its launch, the historic James Webb Space Telescope has detected its first rocky exoplanet, and the distinction goes to LHS 475b — an Earth-size planet as hot as Venus located just 41 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Octans.

"I think we are just starting to scratch the surface of what is possible with JWST," Jacob Lustig-Yaeger, an astronomer at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland and one of the lead authors of the study, told reporters on Wednesday (Jan. 11) at the 241st meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Seattle...

Cheers.