Webb image archive

Two Sides of the Webb Telescope

Webb's sunshield plays a vital role in protecting the telescope from unwanted infrared radiation. The sunshield divides Webb's hot and cold sides (top). The sunshield's design hel...

Date
Dec 13, 2023
Observatory
James Webb Space Telescope
Credit
NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI
Archive ID
4202

Webb's sunshield plays a vital role in protecting the telescope from unwanted infrared radiation. The sunshield divides Webb's hot and cold sides (top). The sunshield's design helps keep heat at bay by forcing it to penetrate five layers before it reaches Webb. None of the layers touch, preventing the transmission of heat from one layer to another (bottom).

Credits

Image

NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

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