In its new home far from Earth, the James Webb Space Telescope maybe isn't quite as alone as it seems.
It's unclear exactly how much dust L2 has collected, but it would be foolish to expect that the region had not collected any at all.
Impacts can move mirror segments, but the telescope has sensors to gauge its mirror positions, and the ability to adjust them, to help correct for any distortions that may result. Unlike Hubble, however, the distance to Webb means that technicians will not be able to physically visit and conduct repairs. The micrometeoroid that struck the telescope – sometime between 23 and 25 May – was a random event. The impact was, however, larger than expected, which means it represents an opportunity to better understand the L2 environment, and try to find strategies for protecting the telescope in the future.
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