James Webb Space Telescope’s coolest

instrument captures first star

28 April 2022

Credit: NASA/STScI

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The UK’s main contribution to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the Mid-Infrared
Instrument (MIRI), has now opened its eye to the sky.

And Leicester scientists and engineers – many of whom involved with the most complex
space observatory ever built from the very start – have reacted to the first MIRI images
released by NASA.

Engineers have confirmed that the telescope’s alignment is complete using the
measurements from all four of the science instruments meaning MIRI is now receiving
focused light from the telescope and taking astronomical images for the first time.

The James Webb Space Telescope is the largest most powerful telescope ever launched into
space and MIRI is one of four scientific instruments on board. Leicester engineers provided
the mechanical engineering lead for the instrument which serves as the UK’s contribution
to the multi-national collaboration.

MIRI was the last instrument to become functional on Webb as it operates at lower
temperatures than the other instruments, so had to be carefully cooled to 7 Kelvin (-
266°C). 

After confirming that the instrument systems were functional at this extremely cold
temperature the MIRI cover was opened and the first data obtained.

Professor Martin Barstow confessed the image, which represents the culmination of more
than two decades’ work from scientists and engineers both in Leicester and across the
world, “brought a tear to my eye”.

Leicester colleague Dr John Pye described the astonishing image as “well worth the more
than 20-year wait”.

These first MIRI observations were the first step to incorporating MIRI into the multi-
instrument multi-field alignment (MIMF) process. MIRI has no internal adjustments for
focus or alignment and relies on the incredible accuracy of the Webb optical alignment.
Although it is an engineering image for the telescope alignment, these first measurements
have also provided the MIRI team with some preliminary information about the flight
instrument. 

Leigh Fletcher, Professor of Planetary Science at the University of Leicester, will lead a
series of observations in the telescope’s first year of operation. Professor Fletcher added:
“This is a key moment that astronomers have been waiting for – this image shows just how
incredible the mid-infrared observations are going to be, probing low-temperature
phenomena both near and far.

“It really whets the appetite for the amazing infrared science to come when JWST starts
looking at our science targets this summer.”

Professor Mark Thomson, STFC Executive Chair, said: “This is a remarkable achievement
for the hardworking scientists and engineers who have worked tirelessly to get to this point.
MIRI is an incredible feat of engineering. 

“Watching MIRI come to life is inspiring, and is a testament to the talent of the UK teams
involved.”

This is a key milestone in Webb’s science mission as it means that all the instruments,
including MIRI, are now able to take super sharp, sensitive astronomical images and
spectra.

Find out more about Leicester’s role in developing the most ambitious space telescope ever
created here.