Tag Archives: MIRI

Science

Webb Telescope’s Mid-Infrared Camera Is Fully Back in Action After Worrisome Glitch

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The Webb Space Telescope before it was packed and shipped to French Guiana for launch.
Photo: NASA

After a hiatus, one of Webb Space Telescope’s cameras will be fully operational again following an engineering test that took place last week.

Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) will resume observations using its medium-resolution spectrometry (MRS) mode by November 12, NASA announced Tuesday in a blog post. The instrument had suffered a minor glitch on August 24 due to increased friction in one of MRS’ grating wheels. Since then, the Webb science team had paused observations using that mode.

Following an in-depth investigation, the team concluded that the glitch was likely caused by “increased contact forces between the wheel central bearing assembly’s sub-components under certain conditions,” NASA wrote. That particular mechanism essentially functions like a “grating wheel” for the MRS observing mode, allowing scientists to select between short, medium, and longer wavelengths when making observations.

The investigation team then developed a set of recommendations on how to use the grating wheel mechanism during science observations. On November 2, NASA ran through an engineering test with new operational parameters based on predictions of the friction in the wheel. The test was successful, and MRS got the green light to carry out science observations once again.

The MRS mode is resuming at the perfect moment, as Webb gears up for a time-limited opportunity to see Saturn’s polar regions. The planet’s poles won’t be observable by Webb for another 20 years after that. But the science team is taking it slow at first, scheduling extra science observations for MRS in order to monitor how well it does under the new operational parameters before fully resuming its regular schedule, according to the Space Telescope Science Institute.

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Webb’s MIRI uses a camera and a spectrograph to see light in the mid-infrared part of the spectrum, wavelengths of light that are longer than what the human eye can see. MIRI has four observing modes: imaging, coronagraphic imaging, low-resolution spectroscopy, and medium-resolution spectroscopy. The MRS observing mode is useful for observing signals from the interaction of light and matter, like the emissions coming from molecules and dust in planet-forming disks.

The imaging instruments on Webb have been delivering stunning views of the cosmos. Most recently, Webb imaged the iconic Pillars of Creation, revealing the stretched-out ‘hand’ of gas and dust in exquisite detail.

More: Space Pebble That Hit Webb Telescope Caused Significant Damage, Scientists Say

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Science

One of Webb Telescope’s Tools Has a Glitch

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A view of Webb’s secondary mirror, captured during the telescope’s cryogenic testing.
Photo: Ball Aerospace

The Webb Space Telescope has been dutifully beaming back incredible images of the cosmos since its “perfect” alignment earlier this year—but nothing is entirely perfect, even a $10 billion telescope. One of Webb’s observing mechanisms has apparently run into a bit of trouble, and mission engineers are working to figure out a solution.

On August 24, a mechanism used to support Webb’s medium-resolution spectroscopy (MRS) experienced “increased friction” while being set up for a science observation, NASA said in a blog post on Tuesday. The space agency called for a meeting of an anomaly review board on September 6 to “assess the best path forward.” As the board works to analyze the issue and develop strategies to resolve it, NASA has paused observations using this particular mode.

The MRS observing mode is part of Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), which uses a camera and a spectrograph to see light in the mid-infrared part of the spectrum (wavelengths that are longer than what human eyes can see). MIRI has four observing modes: imaging, coronagraphic imaging, low-resolution spectroscopy, and medium-resolution spectroscopy. MRS is useful for observing signals from the interaction of light and matter, like the emissions coming from molecules and dust in planet-forming disks.

The glitch in question affected a mechanism that functions like a “grating wheel” for the MRS observing mode, allowing scientists to select between short, medium, and longer wavelengths when making observations using that particular mode, according to NASA.

For now, that mode is on hold while NASA tries to fix the issue. “The observatory is in good health, and MIRI’s other three observing modes – imaging, low-resolution spectroscopy, and coronagraphy – are operating normally and remain available for science observations,” the space agency wrote.

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Webb has recently wowed us with images of neighboring planets Mars and Jupiter, but the telescope is also gearing up to bring us unprecedented views of the distant universe from its perch in space 1 million miles away from Earth. Webb is expected to operate for about 20 years or longer, so hopefully it can overcome a few technical glitches along its journey.

More: Whoa, NASA Just Turned the First Webb Telescope Images Into Sounds

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Science

Problem Detected on the James Webb Space Telescope – MIRI Anomaly

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James Webb Space Telescope MIRI Spectroscopy Animation: The beam of light coming from the telescope is then shown in deep blue entering the instrument through the pick-off mirror located at the top of the instrument and acting like a periscope.
Then, a series of mirrors redirect the light toward the bottom of the instruments where a set of 4 spectroscopic modules are located. Once there, the beam of light is divided by optical elements called dichroics in 4 beams corresponding to different parts of the mid-infrared region. Each beam enters its own integral field unit; these components split and reformat the light from the whole field of view, ready to be dispersed into spectra. This requires the light to be folded, bounced, and split many times, making this probably one of Webb’s most complex light paths.
To finish this amazing voyage, the light of each beam is dispersed by gratings, creating spectra that then projects on 2 MIRI detectors (2 beams per detector). An amazing feat of engineering! Credit: ESA/ATG medialab

Mid-Infrared Instrument Operations Update

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The Webb team has paused in scheduling observations using this particular observing mode while they continue to analyze its behavior. They are also currently developing strategies to resume MRS observations as soon as possible. The observatory is in good health, and MIRI’s other three observing modes – imaging, low-resolution spectroscopy, and coronagraphy – are operating normally and remain available for science observations.

The Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) of the James Webb Space Telescope (Webb) sees light in the mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, at wavelengths that are longer than our eyes can see.

MIRI allows scientists to use multiple observing techniques: imaging, spectroscopy, and coronagraphy to support the whole range of Webb’s science goals, from observing our own Solar System and other planetary systems, to studying the early Universe.

To pack all these modes in a single instrument, engineers have designed an intricate optical system in which light coming from Webb’s telescope follows a complex 3D path before finally reaching MIRI’s detectors.

This artist’s rendering shows this path for MIRI’s imaging mode, which provides imaging and coronagraphy capabilities. It also contains a simple spectrograph. We first take a look at its mechanical structure with its three protruding pairs of carbon fiber struts that will attach it to Webb’s instrument compartment at the back of the telescope.

The pick-off mirror, acting like a periscope, receives the light from the telescope, shown in deep blue, and directs it into MIRI’s imaging module. Inside the instrument, a system of mirrors reformats the light beam and redirects it till it reaches a filter wheel where the desired range of mid-infrared wavelengths is selected from a set of 18 different filters each with its own specific function (the beam takes a light blue color in the animation).

Lastly, another set of mirrors takes the light beam coming out of the filter wheel and recreates the image of the sky on MIRI’s detectors.

Credit: ESA/ATG medialab



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