The James Webb Space Telescope – Window into the past

 

The recent deployment of the JWST has caused a lot of excitement among the astronomers and space scientists as well as space observers. The JWST marks the beginning of an era of space exploration which promises to change our understanding of the universe.

The JWST is designed to observe the universe in the infrared spectrum. With its advanced instruments, it is expected to help observe objects which are very distant and therefore very faint, that the Hubble was not able to detect. This program is led by NASA, with support from the ESA (European Space Agency) and the CSA (Canadian Space Agency). The cost of the telescope is about $ 10b.

The deployment of the telescope was a controlled ballet. The unfolding of the Sunshield, the Mirror Segments, Checking of the Instrument Mode, Calibration, and so on. On July 12^th the first images were received from the instrument and it stunned the world. What this instrument promises is not comparable to whatever was observed earlier by the Hubble or any other instrument.

Scientists expect to use the JWST to look into the past of the universe. Its formation after the Big Bang. Observe distant galaxies, identify habitable planets, emissions from black holes, Supernovas and other celestial bodies and even look for aliens.

This telescope can see objects that are 13.6 billion lightyears away. If we calculate the time taken by light from these objects to reach the earth, it gives scientists a window into the past of the universe. In its first week itself, the telescope has helped to observe galaxies which are 100 million years older than anything observed earlier, which is a record. This telescope is going to create a new generation of science.

The JWST has observed galaxy clusters in which galaxies are recovering from collision with other galaxies. That means scientists are now able see the formation of the universe as it happened after the Big Bang. This is unprecedented.

By observing the wavelength of light emitted from distant stars and planets scientists are able to learn their chemical composition. This tells them if an orbiting planet has oxygen, carbon or other elements to support life.

There is no doubt that the JWST is going to push the boundaries of space exploration. It will help to unlock the secrets of the universe as never before and throw up surprises very often. 

The James Webb Space Telescope – Window into the past

The changing world order – No predictions

The pandemic has caused unprecedented havoc in the world. The recovery is going to take years to get back on track. In fact, the world is still suffering from attacks by new virus variants. Add to this the crisis brought about by the Russia-Ukraine war.

Joe Biden had said very recently that a new world order is emerging and it will be led by America. But that may not be the case. If the order is changing, then, it will be difficult to predict which countries will emerge as the new leaders. Of course, whatever the order, the USA may be included somewhere in the pecking order, given its size and strength. However that is not guaranteed.

The sanctions on Russia are not working. This is forcing the West to put evermore strict restrictions on that country. Local currency trade has already started between Russia and India and China. There is also talk of trying to find a way to circumvent the SWIFT system for currency transactions. Both these actions will undermine the importance of the dollar.

Nobody is willing to put boots on the ground in Ukraine as it might provoke an escalation.   

Military and economic strengths will remain important for countries for the foreseeable future. However, prevailing circumstances will decide what freedom countries will have to take actions on others. Today countries like India are not towing the western line on the Russia – Ukraine war as regards purchase of oil. Countries like India can have their way because they are a bulwark against China which The US and Europe view as the next major enemy. Russia is viewed as a declining power as of now.

National interest will be paramount in the new order. This was a prerogative of the West. However, many countries have now begun to prioritize their national interest even if it means going against the dictates of the powerful nations.  

Geopolitics will become more complex as national interests of countries clash and overlap at the same time.

Though predicting anything here would be hazardous, a few indications can be read and interpreted. The West has begun to wean itself away from China. China may not remain the factory of the world in the near future. Supply chains are being diversified. Some countries like Germany, Italy were reluctant to delink from China. But the Russia -Ukraine war has changed that. China gas a debt crisis starting with its real estate sector which could cause an economic meltdown. Moreover, its zero covid policy is playing havoc with the economy.

All countries are manipulating and adjusting to the new challenges being thrown up by the events on a daily basis. Russia's Gazprom has shut down the Nord Stream one gas pipeline which supplies gas to Germany- the largest consumer- for maintenance. But  no one knows if Russia will start gas supplies any time soon. Hungary has already declared a gas emergency.

Globalization will continue, because it provides economies of scale, making products cheaper and providing jobs across the world. The geopolitical and economic pointers indicate that some of the developing countries in the world will gain ascendency in the scheme of things. If that happens, we will see a very different world in the not too distant future.