Suggested Searches

James Webb Space Telescope

Viewing Posts from August 2026

View All Posts

  • Webb Unravels Small Cosmic Details With Interferometry Observing Mode

    A prototype of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRISS (Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph) non-redundant mask with seven hexagonal pinholes with outlines of the telescope’s primary mirror segments and secondary mirror support struts. When light passes through these pinholes, it creates a pattern of overlapping light waves. Similar to overlapping waves in water, these light waves can interfere constructively (combine together) or destructively (cancel out) with each other, creating a complex pattern of light and dark spots known as fringes.

    One of the most recognizable features of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is its large, segmented, gold-coated mirror, which delivers images twice as sharp as pre-launch estimates. Aperture masking interferometry is an observational technique that allows for high-angular resolution imaging of celestial objects. The basic principle involves placing a specially designed mask with several small […]