JWST Countdown To Terror 😳

[david_taurus83]

Is there no website or animation showing its current orbit/position?

[kirkster501]

5 minutes ago, david_taurus83 said:

Is there no website or animation showing its current orbit/position?

Where Is Webb? NASA/Webb

 

[johninderby]

Or

https://spacein3d.com/where-is-the-james-webb-space-telescope-jwst-live-tracker/

Edited December 27, 2021 by johninderby

[JeremyS]

Images from recent nights by Denis Buczynski:

25 Dec https://britastro.org/observations/observation.php?id=20211225_233140_79f191bd5d3eead7

27/28 Dec: https://britastro.org/observations/observation.php?id=20211228_010034_2208fca1c5e77fe7

 

[Mr Spock]

Today's the MCC1b then sunshield deployment. 

[tomato]

MCC1b completed successfully, burn duration 9 mins 27 secs.👍

[kirkster501]

I thought the pallets for the sunshield were coming down at 2.7 days which would have been at about six this morning UK time.  Hope there isn't an issue since we have gone past that....  Then again, they are probably doing due diligence so I remind myself that patience Grasshopper, patience...🤣

[johninderby]

Sunshield Fwd UPS deployment at 2.7 days

Sunshield Aft UPS deployment at 3.1 days

Sunshield full deployment at 5.5 days

 

 

[AstroKeith]

at Noon GMT/UTC Launch Elapsed time was still only 2h12m ie 2.2 days.

[DaveS]

UPS? In that case they'll just leave a card saying nobody was in when they tried to deliver.

[johninderby]

In an amusing coincidence there is a James Webb at UPS couriers. 😁

[kirkster501]

If the Webb telescope sunshield doesn't open, here’s what NASA will do (msn.com)

 

[Laurieast]

From Twitter:

NASA Webb Telescope

@NASAWebb

12h

It’s been a busy evening! Not only did we just complete our second burn, but #NASAWebb also passed the altitude of the Moon as it keeps cruising on to the second Lagrange point to #UnfoldTheUniverse. Bye,

@NASAMoon

 

[Carbon Brush]

I have read a few recent Webb articles from NASA, as well as ESA.
On the sun shield, NASA are still talking Fahrenheit. ESA Kelvin or Celsius - like the rest of the world.

Given the many earth bound and space borne precedents for hiccups to disasters when units are mixed, including Hubble, I can't help but worry.

[Laurieast]

Forward Pallet Structure Lowered, Beginning Multiple-Day Sunshield Deployment

 

https://blogs.nasa.gov/webb/2021/12/28/forward-pallet-structure-lowered-beginning-multiple-day-sunshield-deployment/

[kirkster501]

4 hours ago, Carbon Brush said:

I have read a few recent Webb articles from NASA, as well as ESA.
On the sun shield, NASA are still talking Fahrenheit. ESA Kelvin or Celsius - like the rest of the world.

Given the many earth bound and space borne precedents for hiccups to disasters when units are mixed, including Hubble, I can't help but worry.

That is a scary thought!

[kirkster501]

3 minutes ago, Laurieast said:

Forward Pallet Structure Lowered, Beginning Multiple-Day Sunshield Deployment

 

https://blogs.nasa.gov/webb/2021/12/28/forward-pallet-structure-lowered-beginning-multiple-day-sunshield-deployment/

Without the pallets lowered there is no mission since the secondary can't deploy.  Even if the sunshield doesn't work, there is still a [degraded] mission of sorts but the secondary \has\  to deploy.

[JeremyS]

Denis Buczynski imaged JWST again this AM: https://britastro.org/observations/observation.php?id=20211229_022533_3d0c3cfbd1854890

[Mr Spock]

Tense moments 

[Rusted]

Are we likely to see any JWST solar or lunar transits?

 

[Laurieast]

Aft Sunshield Pallet Deployed

https://blogs.nasa.gov/webb/2021/12/28/aft-sunshield-pallet-deployed/

[johninderby]

18 minutes ago, Rusted said:

Are we likely to see any JWST solar or lunar transits?

 

Solar transits yes I would think so but not lunar as the JWST will be much further away than the moon.

Seeing the moon occult the JWST should be possible.

Edited December 29, 2021 by johninderby

[Stu]

52 minutes ago, johninderby said:

Solar transits yes I would think so but not lunar as the JWST will be much further away than the moon

How could JWST transit the Sun when it’s always going to be positioned on the opposite side of the Earth from it? I imagine the most that might be seen is it being occulted but the Moon as you said. I doubt it will be very bright though, anyone know what the expected final magnitude is likely to be?

[Mr Spock]

It's good the pallets are done. This was always going to be one of the more difficult deployments.

[Floater]

43 minutes ago, Stu said:

How could JWST transit the Sun when it’s always going to be positioned on the opposite side of the Earth from it? 

This was my thought, too.