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Why spend money on JWST 2 when you could as well spend it on ... LUVOIR? ^^

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_Ultraviolet_Optical_Infr...




There are several space telescope projects under consideration besides luvoir.

Habitable Exoplanet Imaging Mission https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habitable_Exoplanet_Imaging_Mi...

Lynx X-ray Observatory https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynx_X-ray_Observatory

Origins Space Telescope https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origins_Space_Telescope


JWST versus LUVOIR-A... just wow! Imagine difference in quality of pictures!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_Ultraviolet_Optical_Infr...


Actually LUVOIR will most likely have smaller 6 meter mirror to reduce cost and use lessons from JWST construction. It will be simpler design than JWST as it will use only 2 or 3 layer sunshield and no cryocooler (creating equipment that can work at 5 Kelvin was massive issue for JWST). Its main science goal will be examining atmospheres of exoplanets, plus general observations like Hubble.

It will observe in UV/visible/near-IR so its resolution will be higher than JWST's as shorter wavelengths are easier to focus (diffraction limit is a function of wavelength) but it will not be able to see objects at the very end of observable universe as it cannot image in mid-IR or longer wavelengths. There is still plenty of interesting stuff closer to us and it will be "true" successor to Hubble.


taps temple Why go big when you can go gigantic.




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