telescope | SCIENCE | NEWS | GALLERY
  home > telescope > nuts & bolts > instruments
Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) JWSTsite
 

Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec)

NIRSpec will be the Webb telescope's spectrograph, unraveling the light of faint objects and their components in the 0.6- to 5-micron wavelength range. A spectrograph is an instrument that spreads light into its various wavelengths, allowing them to be analyzed. This helps scientists determine which elements the object contains, the velocity of various parts of the object, and its redshift.

NIRSpec will be used to measure accurate redshifts to distant galaxies and to measure their chemical evolution. NIRSpec will also be used to study how gas and dust clump together to form new stars and planets.

A unique capability of NIRSpec will be its capability to study the light of more than 100 objects at once. This is made possible by Micro Shutter Assembly (MSA). The MSA consist of arrays of thousands and thousands of tiny shutters that can be opened in the pattern of objects on the sky, allowing only the light from objects of interest into the instrument.

NIRSpec is being built by the European Space Agency.

 

NIRSpec Diagram

Click on image to enlarge.

This image shows the path light takes as it travels through NIRSpec. NIRSpec, Webb's spectrograph, allows scientists to better analyze the light emitted by an object. NIRSpec can study more than 100 objects at one time.

NIRSpec Diagram

Click on image to enlarge.

This image depicts the Micro Shutter Assembly of NIRSpec. Each square contains thousands of tiny shutters that open and close to select objects for spectroscopy. The detector (green) is the equivalent to film in a camera.
 

reference desk | site index | about us | contact us