The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is set to be the most powerful space telescope ever built, and its scientific objectives reflect this impressive capability. From studying the atmospheres of exoplanets to searching for the building blocks of life in the universe, the JWST will be able to tackle some of the most pressing questions in astronomy and cosmology. But what exactly are the scientific goals of the JWST, and what kinds of phenomena will it be able to study?

Scientific Objectives

The JWST has a number of scientific objectives, including:

  • The study of the birth and evolution of galaxies
  • The formation and evolution of stars and planetary systems
  • The search for the building blocks of life in the universe
  • The observation of exoplanets and the search for signs of life on them
  • The study of the physical and chemical properties of celestial objects and their environments

To achieve these objectives, the JWST is equipped with a suite of highly advanced instruments, including a near-infrared camera, a near-infrared spectrograph, and a mid-infrared instrument. These instruments will allow the JWST to study the universe in wavelengths of light that are difficult to detect from the ground, including infrared light.

Phenomena the JWST Will Be Able to Study

With its advanced capabilities, the JWST will be able to study a wide range of phenomena in the universe. Some of the things it will be able to observe include:

  • The atmospheres of exoplanets and the search for signs of life on them
  • The formation of stars and planetary systems
  • The birth and evolution of galaxies
  • The distribution and properties of the dark matter and dark energy that make up the majority of the universe
  • The physical and chemical properties of celestial objects and their environments