Webb Telescope Goes for Olympic Gold

#Zambonis ensure #Olympic ice is as smooth as possible for #hockey and #figureskating. In space, #Webb’s mirrors will be aligned to within tens of nanometers — the epitome of “smoothness.” #WinterOlympics #Pyeongchang2018 #JWSTpic.twitter.com/hD0bdVkmOj

Just like #bobsledders must fold their bodies to fit inside their #bobsled, #Webb must fold to fit into its Ariane 5 rocket for launch. #Bobsled runs usually last a few minutes; #Webb’s ride into space will take about 8 minutes. #Olympics #WinterOlympics #Pyeongchang2018 #JWSTpic.twitter.com/RNLPmC3vUS

#Webb made its #Olympic “#figureskating” debut at @NASA_Johnson, where it perfected the #doublelutz. Who needs a flashy outfit when you have gold-coated mirrors? #Olympics #WinterOlympics #Pyeongchang2018 #JWSTpic.twitter.com/EEdjJtoi1H

#Webb’s Olympic “#snowboarding” training began in 2016 at @NASAGoddard, when engineers performed a “lift and tilt” on it! It’s not quite the 1260° spin of a #DoubleMcTwist, but all legends have humble beginnings. #Olympics #WinterOlympics #Pyeongchang2018 #JWSTpic.twitter.com/Ni9KHP8k0c

Zoom! Some #bobsleds used during the @Olympics feature lightweight, composite materials. Did you know #Webb’s support structure also used composites to reduce its weight while maintaining its strength? #olympics #pyeongchang2018 #winterolympics #JWSTpic.twitter.com/WJcW2pU1qN

Not only does #Webb #goforthegold with its gold-coated mirrors, it also vies for the #silvermedal with its sunshield. The sunshield layers, which are actually coated with aluminum, protect #Webb’s optics and instruments from the sun’s heat. #winterolympics #pyeongchang2018 #JWSTpic.twitter.com/bwmVFHkUfN

The #winterolympics have brought together more than 90 nations. Similarly, #Webb is an international collaboration between @NASA, the European Space Agency (@ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (@CSA_ASC)! #olympics #pyeongchang2018 #JWSTpic.twitter.com/hWc1ZVzs2F

Subzero temperatures and piercing winds at the @Olympics have left some competitors chilled, but #Webb will endure a much colder environment in space. #Webb will operate at temperatures below 50 K (-370 F / -223 C)! #olympics #winterolympics #pyeongchang2018 #JWSTpic.twitter.com/wNvmkIzQK2

If you think the sweepers in #Olympic #curling have a tough time “polishing” the ice, try polishing a beryllium mirror! Engineers polished #Webb’s mirrors to accuracies of ~1 millionth of an inch. (Not by using a broom, of course!) #winterolympics #JWST #pyeongchang2018pic.twitter.com/3Cr98kKYaU