The Universe of Very Cold: The James Webb Space Telescope, MIRI, and the Cryocooler
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23
June 2023
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) takes incredible images using infrared light. The optics and science instruments must be incredibly cold, especially JWST’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), which needs to be at a temperature of less than 7 kelvins, or -447 F. This is not possible without the Cryocooler, which keeps MIRI’s detectors cool.
Speakers
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Dr. Konstantin Penanen
JWST/MIRI Cryocooler Lead, NASA/JPL
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Nikki Wyrick
Office of Communications and Education, NASA/JPL
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Kaitlyn Soares
Universe Public Engagement Lead, NASA/JPL