It’s here! The long anticipated first focused image of a star captured by the James Webb Space Telescope is here!
This single star, gorgeous in its visual simplicity, starshine symmetry, and image clarity, has the oh-so-easy-to-remember name of…(drumroll)…
2MASS J17554042+6551277, but it’s photo is historical. Plus, there are more stars and galaxies in the image’s background.
It really is deserving of a nickname. Don't you think?
For those of you with telescopes, you can view this lovely star at the co-ordinates:
17h 55m 40s +65° 51’ 28”
The JWST is a Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) orbiting the Sun 1 million miles away and captured this image using a red filter. This advanced observatory‘s equipment is still in process of being aligned and calibrated, which won’t be completed until mid-year.
I’m seriously looking forward to seeing what other amazing views JWST has in store for us!
Image credit: NASA/STScI
Source: Night Sky App
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