NASA's James Webb telescope deploys its 'full mirror' for the 1st time despite COVID delay

While Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic bringing most of US to a standstill, its government ncy - NASA, on Sunday, has successfully deployed its James Webb telescope's primary mirror for first time. Earlier, NASA had paused all work related to telescope due to COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused a delay in launch of telescope. US which is currently epicenter of pandemic has reported 3,27,871 cases with 9325 deaths till date.

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Webb's mirror unfolded

Recent reports state James Webb telescope was able to successfully extend and unfold its entire length covering 6.5 meters primary mirror. mirror was tested by reportedly being hooked to specialized gravity-offsetting equipment that simulated zero-gravity environment in . While mirror deployed full mirror, it also successfully achieved it in a -like environment.

NASA's James Webb telescope assembled, ready to succeed iconic Hubble

NASA's Webb telescope assembled

In August, NASA anunced that its engineers have fully assembled two halves of James Webb Telescope (Webb) for first time at rthrop Grumman’s facilities in Redondo Beach, California. After mechanically connecting telescope, NASA n connected two halves electrically and n tested its connection.  Engineers are also set to test five-layer sun shield of telescope which is designed to keep Webb's mirrors and scientific instruments cold by blocking infrared light from Earth, Moon, and Sun. Currently, newly assembled telescope is going through additional environmental testing.

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What will Webb do?

Touted as NASA's most powerful and complex telescope, Webb Telescope will explore cosmos using infrared light, from planets and moons throughout universe, according to NASA. Webb - NASA's Hubble Telescope's successor, is an international project led by NASA with its partners, ESA (European ncy), and Canadian ncy. Using Webb, NASA aims to explore our solar system in a deeper manner. Webb will also probe mysterious structures and origins of our universe and earth's place in it. This will be world's premier science observatory, as per NASA.

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