James Webb

 

The James Webb telescope continues to prove itself an invaluable tool in the pursuit of knowledge. A couple weeks ago it took the first photo of an exo-planet or planet outside of our own solar system. Last week, it took the above picture of Neptune showing that it too has rings like Saturn. When I think of Neptune, our furthest planet since Pluto was kicked out, I think of the "blue marble" picture taken by the Voyager 2 spacecraft on its way by. 

It has also conclusively found carbon dioxide around another planet. That in itself doesn't tell us much but if combined with methane, could be a signal of lifeforms. Unfortunately, this planet didn't have methane but perhaps the next one or one down the road will. I can't fathom a world where we aren't alone... yet, but that day may be coming.

Below is a picture of a "cartwheel" galaxy somewhere out there. It makes me wonder if someday I'll get to see a "selfie" image of our own galaxy. I'm guessing the chances are slim since the James Webb can't do it from within our galaxy nor can anything we've launched yet. To date, only one object has crossed out of our galaxy, Voyager 1, and it's camera is no longer on to save energy. 

The only thing certain is that there will be more interesting things discovered by the James Webb Telescope.



Comments

  1. It is remarkable. There must be life somewhere, but I doubt if we will ever find it.

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    1. I'm surprised at the doubt. Perhaps it is the mathematician in me who says we can't be the only one of billions of galaxies and trillions of planets to have developed life. I'm less optimistic of us finding another humanoid form but certainly some simple plants exist.

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    2. Still... I'm wondering if there could be some form of intelligent life. I know movies have shown benign beings as well as nasty ones. Then I think about what more advanced cultures have done to indigenous peoples on our world.

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  2. I love the deep space photos. As for a planet having CO2 but not methane, one could wrote a sci-fi story about a visiting astronaut with gas problems starting a new world... I have no idea why my mind when there!

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    1. Well I immediately thought of farting cows when I read that story so perhaps your mind isn't too far off.

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  3. I'm loving the images from the Webb; they are like art! I can't imagine that there isn't a lot of life (whatever form that takes) in this immense universe. But perhaps we're not meant to meet up with each other, the distances being what they are. Or the other creatures are deliberately staying away from the mess that is Earth? :)

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    1. Have you seen the movie "Don't Look Up" and the end scene rolled in the credits? I imagine any first encounter to go something like that.

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  4. The science geek in me just loves all this. When the topic of alien life comes up, I always think of the Fermi Paradox!

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    1. I would hate to finally find life only to find out we were the dumb ones who trashed our home.

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  5. I think space photos are some of the most fascinating there are. We have a glorious universe.

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    1. I guess they interest me because I don't get to see them everyday and is completely outside of my realm of imagination for the most part.

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  6. We have a great conflict of science and Hawaiian pride going on with the proposed telescope on the Big Island atop our tallest mountain. I can see both sides, protecting the sacredness of the area vs the mysteries of space being revealed.

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    1. I can imagine the conflict. I wouldn't want one of those things in my backyard either. Honestly, with the success of our telescopes in orbit, I can't imagine a need for another terrestrial based telescope.

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  7. The pictures are gorgeous.

    I am somewhat less interested in the possibility of life out there, both because where we might find it, it would be well out of reach. And if it came here, I harbor my doubts about whether we would be a "good investment" for friendship.

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  8. It's amazing what the scientists are doing and finding. What strikes me is how brilliant they are; and how stupid the rest of us are -- which gives me hope that science will solve the problems that we can't solve ourselves.

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    1. Probably most importantly, I hope we listen to their solution as we haven't as a whole been particularly receptive to the Global Warming solution.

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