Our universe is extraordinary, with so many parts remaining undiscovered. Thinking about it may send us into an existential crisis as we wonder how small and insignificant we are while surrounded by other planets and galaxies.
Recently, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope revealed never-before-seen details about the universe and everything it consists of.
“Today, we present humanity with a groundbreaking new view of the cosmos from the James Webb Space Telescope – a view the world has never seen before,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
“These images, including the deepest infrared view of our universe that has ever been taken, show us how Webb will help uncover the answers to questions we don’t even know to ask. Questions that will help us better understand our universe and humanity’s place within it.”
The James Webb Space Telescope
The release of Webb’s first images and spectra kicks off the beginning of Webb’s science operations, where astronomers worldwide will have the chance to observe anything from objects within our solar system to the early universe using Webb’s four instruments.
The telescope was launched on December 25, 2021, by a rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, South America.
After completing a complex deployment sequence in space, Webb underwent months of commissioning where its mirrors were aligned, and its instruments were calibrated to its space environment and prepared for science.
Scientists have since released the first highly-anticipated, full-colour, scientific images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, the most powerful instrument ever built, as it orbits around 1 million miles from Earth.
Netizens are impressed but scared
The pictures have gone viral on Twitter and have impressed many social media users.
“It’s so beautiful. Hopefully, one day we will be able to travel and live within this beautiful creation.”
“I feel like I’ve waited a lifetime for this. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this incredible piece of tech and engineering,” said a user.
Some marvelled at how insignificant we are after seeing that there is much more to the universe than meets the eye. “This confirms that nothing matters, which is equally comforting as it is terrifying,” said a user.
“We’re so small. I’m gonna throw up,” exclaimed another user.
Is it fake?
On the other hand, some users believe that the pictures are fake and that it’s all part of a major conspiracy. One user claimed that it looked like edited pictures. “Pure copy-paste, change size and opacity. Like if a kid did it on a low-cost computer app.”
Another claimed that it’s all CGI. “We’re living (in) turbulent times, and every time (the) ruling classes want to distract people from real problems, they just come up with this.”
Take a look at the pictures it took here and watch a video of it down below:
What do you think? Are you impressed or terrified? Or do you think that it’s all a hoax.
Also read: The Biggest Supermoon Of The Year Will Happen This July 13!
