JWST vs Hubble

IR / Optical

Multi-wavelength comparative analysis revealing dust penetration, protostars, and infrared spectroscopy.

Infrared Optics Theory

1. Rayleigh Dust Scattering:

Scattering cross-section scales inversely with wavelength: $\sigma \propto \lambda^{-4}$. Visible light (0.5$\mu$m) is scattered by interstellar grains, whereas Infrared (2–28$\mu$m) passes straight through.

2. Aperture & Resolution:

JWST's 6.5m beryllium-gold primary mirror collects ~6.25× more light than Hubble's 2.4m aperture with diffraction limit $\theta = 1.22 \lambda / D$.

Comparison Target

Select Cosmic Target

Split Divider Position 50%

Wavelength Channel Overlays

Telescope Benchmarks

Hubble (HST) Primary: 2.4 m Band: Optical/UV Orbit: LEO 540km

Webb (JWST) Primary: 6.5 m Band: Infrared Orbit: Sun-L2 1.5M km

HUBBLE (VISUAL OPTICAL) vs JWST (INFRARED PENETRATION)

Target: M16 PILLARS OF CREATION

HUBBLE (Optical Dust Absorption)

JWST (Infrared Stellar Penetration)