Space telescope in home stretch of tests; early pics impress

CAPE CANAVERAL (Fla.

NASA’s space telescope is currently in its final stage of testing. Astronomers expect science observations to begin in July. said Monday.

The James Webb Space Telescope sent back the most recent test images of a neighboring satellite galaxy. These results are remarkable when compared to images taken by NASA’s infrared observatory the Spitzer Space Telescope.

Each of the 18 segments of the new telescope’s mirror is larger than the one on Spitzer.

“It’s not until you actually see the kind of image that it delivers that you really internalize and go `wow!”’ saidMarcia Rieke, University of Arizona chief scientist for Webb’s infrared camera. “Just think of what we’re going to learn.”

The $10 billion Webb was launched in December and is the most powerful and large-scale astronomical observatory ever to be sent into orbit. It will look for light emitted from galaxies and stars close to 14 million years ago and monitor the skies for any signs of life.

Scientists are keeping Webb’s first official target under wraps.

Webb, located 1 million miles (11.6 million kilometers) away from Earth is thought to be the successor of the aging Hubble Space telescope.

Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education provides support to the Associated Press Health and Science Department. All content is owned by the Associated Press.