Devise an experiment testing how to keep the infrared camera on your telescope super cool.
View Activity →Mega Mirror Engineer
Deep Space Diary
Activity 3.2
Webb’s striking hexagonal primary mirror makes it instantly recognisable. The mirror has been carefully designed to collect as much light as possible. The more light collected, the more we can see. After exploring the symmetry of a number of shapes, this activity challenges students to design a mirror, based on set criteria.
Support Materials
Multimedia Downloads
Mega Mirror Engineer Shapes Template (338.30 KB pdf) ↓Links
- Aligning the Primary Mirror Segments of the James Webb Space Telescope
Zap code content - Diagram comparing Webb and Hubble’s primary mirrors
- Clip showing how mirror segments are adjusted to focus light collected
- Clip showing scientists testing mirror deployment
- Photo of scientists examining Webb’s primary mirror
- Diagram of Webb’s primary mirror size and material
- Clip explaining how Webb’s mirror was created
- Clip showing the process of a mirror segment being coated with gold
- Q&A with Piyal Samara-Ratna
- Video interview with Piyal Samara-Ratna
More Activities
Keep It Cool
Pack Your Payload
Design how to fold up your huge telescope, so it will fit into the rocket taking it to space.
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