The James Webb Space Telescope’s Targets Over the Next Year Include Black Holes, Exomoons, Dark Energy — and More
Some of the JWST’s third-year targets include potential exomoons, or moons that surround exoplanets, exoplanets themselves in conjunction with their atmospheres, supermassive black holes and even distant galaxies that existed during the dawn of time. The JWST will also study large-scale structures in the cosmos to reveal details about the accelerating expansion of the universe and dark energy, the mysterious force that drives such movement.
An illustration of the James Webb Space Telescope and some of its Cycle 3 observational targets including black holes, ancient galaxies and exomoons (Image Source: Robert Lea/NASA)
The Space Telescope Science Institute announced the selected programs for the James Webb Space Telescope’s time allocation over the next years.
The institute revealed 253 General Observers (GO) programs that will utilize the telescope for around 5,500 hours between July 2024 and June 2025, known as Cycle 3.
Cycle 3 will continue the advancements made by the telescope, which began transmitting data in 2022. It will target potential exomoons, exoplanets, supermassive black holes, distant galaxies, and large-scale universe structures.
One team will search for exomoons, particularly around the exoplanet Kepler-167e. This method is challenging as it relies on light-blocking techniques and precise timing.
Other projects focus on exoplanets’ habitability, such as the project “Constraining the atmosphere of the terrestrial exoplanet TOI-4481b.” It aims to explore if this Jupiter-mass exoplanet has retained its atmosphere, which is crucial in the search for life beyond Earth.
Supermassive black holes are another focus for Cycle 3, aiming to investigate early universe quasars and black holes’ impacts on galaxy development. These observations could reveal how these cosmic entities grew to such immense masses.
The JWST also aims to study the early universe, especially the epoch of reionization around 500 million years after the Big Bang. High-redshift galaxies provide valuable insights into this crucial stage in cosmic evolution.
Cycle 3 will also cover studies within our solar system, such as Saturn’s moon Enceladus, Uranus’ rings, and icy objects in the Kuiper Belt.
The call for Cycle 4 proposals will be issued on August 1, 2024, with a deadline set for Oct. 16. Cycle 4 observations will begin on July 1, 2025.
Team Profile
- News Writer
- Shubham Chakraborty, a Freelance Writer, holds an MBA from XLRI and boasts 6.5 years of extensive corporate experience. Departing from his corporate path, he embarked on a journey to fulfill his childhood dream of focusing on writing.
Latest entries
English12 May 2024US Likely to Impose 100% Tariff on Electric Vehicle Imports from China
English26 March 2024UN Security Council Demands Immediate Ceasefire for the First Time Amidst Ongoing Israel-Gaza Conflict
English23 March 2024Bloodbath in Moscow: ISIS-K Delivers Shocking Blow to Heart of Russia
English20 March 2024A Hollow Victory: Putin Claims Landslide in Russian Election and Scorns US Democracy
