The James Webb Space Telescope was hit by a fragment of space rock, which might have affected its sensors.
The science instrument, designed to observe and visually explore the depths of space, was struck by a"micrometeoroid" between May 23 and May 25, according to a Wednesday announcement from NASA. The dust-sized fragment damaged a mirror segment known as C3, one of 18 beryllium-gold tiles that make up the telescope's primary reflector.
In late May, Webb sustained a dust-sized micrometeroid impact to a primary mirror segment. Not to worry: Webb is still performing at a level that exceeds all mission requirements. Our first images will #UnfoldTheUniverse on July 12: https://t.co/9jp0uq7ytS pic.twitter.com/VKkSp16yrgWhile the damage is producing a visible effect on the telescope's data, it is not expected to limit the ability of the Webb Space Telescope to continue observing the cosmos.
Webb's ability to sense and adjust mirror positions to account for disruptions should also allow the machine to account for all possible damage to its exterior, according to NASA.This is not the first time micrometeoroids have hit the telescope. Webb has been struck by four smaller micrometeoroids since its launch, according to Lee Feinberg, Webb's optical telescope element manager.
Webb was launched into orbit on Dec. 24, 2021, and has been slowly setting itself up as scientists tested the instrument's observing modes. The telescope's first images are expected to release on July 12, before it turns its focus to select exoplanets with the hope of observing their heat patterns.
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