The hexagonal, coffee table-size segments must be adjusted in the weeks ahead so they can focus as one on stars, galaxies and alien worlds that might hold atmospheric signs of life. Each of its 18 segments is coated with an ultra thin layer of gold, highly reflective of infrared light. WebbвЂ™s main mirror is made of beryllium, a lightweight yet sturdy and cold-resistant metal. вЂњThis is the moment we have been waiting for, for so long,вЂќ she said. His counterpart at the European Space Agency, astronomer Antonella Nota, noted that after years of preparation, the team made everything look вЂњso amazingly easy.вЂќ вЂњSo how does it feel to make history, everybody? You just did it.вЂќ вЂњWe have a deployed telescope on orbit, a magnificent telescope the likes of which the world has never seen,вЂќ Zurbuchen said, congratulating the team. They jumped to their feet, exchanged high-fives and cheered from behind masks when the operation was finally complete 2 1/2 hours later, doing their best to remain socially distant because of the global surge in COVID-19 cases. After applauding, the controllers immediately got back to work, latching everything down.

The mood was even more upbeat Saturday, with peppy music filling the control room as the right side snapped into place. The riskiest operation occurred earlier in the week, when the tennis court-size sunshield unfurled, providing subzero shade for the mirror and infrared detectors.ДЇlight controllers in Baltimore began opening the primary mirror Friday, unfolding the left side like a drop-leaf table. Webb is so big that it had to be folded orgami-style to fit in the rocket that soared from South America two weeks ago. To accomplish this, NASA had to outfit Webb with the largest and most sensitive mirror ever launched - its вЂњgolden eye,вЂќ as scientists call it. More powerful than the Hubble Space Telescope, the $10 billion Webb will scan the cosmos for light streaming from the first stars and galaxies formed 13.7 billion years ago. We see that beautiful pattern out there in the sky now,вЂќ said Thomas Zurbuchen, chief of NASAвЂ™s science missions. The last portion of the 21-foot (6.5-meter) mirror swung into place at flight controllersвЂ™ command, completing the unfolding of the James Webb Space Telescope. (AP) - NASAвЂ™s new space telescope opened its huge, gold-plated, flower-shaped mirror Saturday, the final step in the observatoryвЂ™s dramatic unfurling.

Shade 14 for telescope