Hubble Space Telescope Misconception #2

The other day I discussed one of the major Hubble Space Telescope (HST) misconceptions. Another big, although not as widely spread, misconception relates to the next great space based telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).  I suppose I could call it the JWST misconception #1, but I included it with the many HST misconceptions since the misconception is connected to the HST.

If you are not familiar with the JWST, I encourage you to read more at the following link:

http://www.jwst.nasa.gov/

The JWST is currently scheduled for a 2018 launch date.  Hopefully this is not delayed any longer as it has already been delayed several years.  I took a look at my old teaching notes and in the fall of 2007 I discussed with my astronomy class the JWST and the projected launch date at that time was 2013!  So in 5 years, the project launch date has been pushed back 5 years.  Ouch!

So what's the misconception?  The misconception is that may people, including many in the media market, are calling the JWST the "replacement" to the HST.  It's true that this will be a replacement space based telescope, but the replacement to the HST is very misleading.  The JWST will be much bigger with a 6.5 meter mirror compared to the HST's 2.4 meter mirror.  It's common for people to think that the JWST is just a bigger version of the HST.  The biggest difference, however, between the HST and the JWST is the type of light that each telescope collects.  The HST primarily collects visible light, light that humans can see.  The JWST will primarily collect infrared light, light that humans cannot see.  Therefore, it really isn't the "replacement" to Hubble.  For more information on the two telescopes, check out NASA's comparison site:

http://www.jwst.nasa.gov/comparison.html

The HST was (and still is) a great telescope.  The JWST will be a great telescope too, but in a different way.  It will answer many questions the HST cannot answer due to the type of light it collects.  

Keep your fingers crossed that the JWST launches in 2018 and isn't delayed any further.