Scientists plan to observe outer solar system moons using JWST
Monday, November 30, 2015 - 09:20
in Astronomy & Space
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), often touted as Hubble's successor, is slated to be launched in 2018 to study every phase of cosmic history, mainly by observing the most distant objects in the universe. The telescope will also be useful for investigating extrasolar planetary systems as well as planets within our solar system. Now, a team of researchers led by Laszlo Kestay, the director of the U.S. Geological Survey's Astrogeology Science Center, has laid out its plan to use the telescope's capabilities to better understand our planetary neighborhood by putting emphasis on outer solar system moons and their geology.