James Webb Telescope can detect the existence of life on an alien planet.

Our 10 billion dollar time machine can change our vision towards astronomy. Our Webb is powerful enough to detect the biosignature of an exoplanet. The James Webb Space Telescope started its journey on December 25th, 2021.

But what is the purpose of this mission? How powerful is the James Webb Telescope?

Webb will mainly study the history of our Universe, from the Big Bang to the formation of solar systems like our own. Besides, what else can it do? This large infrared telescope of Webb is 100 times more powerful than the Hubble telescope. Webb has 18 separate mirror segments made of ultra-lightweight beryllium. After complete deployment, it will form a 6.5 m (21 ft) primary mirror. It is powerful enough to detect the biosignature of exoplanets. In other words, the characteristics of those planets’ atmospheres will be like our Earth. The biosignatures of those Alien planets will give us evidence of oxygen and methane in the atmosphere. First, Webb detects an exoplanet’s presence around a distant star using the transit method. When a planet passes in front of a star, its light slightly diminishes. After that planet passes in front of its star many times, We have enough data to take measurements of its atmosphere. And we will be able to see how much light goes through its atmosphere. Also, we could determine the atmospheric elements of those alien planets.

Exoplanets image by NASA — Exoplanets – image by NASA

With a telescope as powerful as the Webb, we could gather enough data after a planet has passed its star as few as 5 to 10 times. So only after a few hours of investigation of a planet, we could detect conditions for life. And always remember that the distances between Earth and exoplanets of interest are in the Light year’s range. If we decided to take an interstellar trip to one of those, like the exoplanet TRAPPIST-1e, it would take you decades.

Integration of the James Webb Space Telescope

What is the L2 point? James Webb telescope is now about 1.5 million km away from us

James Webb Telescope can detect the existence of life on an alien planet.

But what is the purpose of this mission? How powerful is the James Webb Telescope?

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