Quick Facts

Webb Telescope'<a href=s Fine Guidance Sensor Gets Lots of Guidance" width="1023" height="681" />

Webb Telescope'<a href=s Fine Guidance Sensor Gets Lots of Guidance" width="1023" height="681" />

FGS is a guider that locks on to bright stars in deep space to keep Webb on target creating sharp high quality images.

hexoutlinenumber1

FGS allows Webb to determine its position, locate its celestial targets, track moving targets and remain steadily locked or pointed with very high precision on a specific celestial target.

hexoutlinenumber2

FGS is so sensitive that it can detect a tiny angular displacement equivalent to the thickness of a human hair as seen from one kilometre away.

hexoutlinenumber3

NIRISS enables scientists to determine the composition of exoplanets' atmospheres, observe distant galaxies, and examine objects that are very close together.

hexoutlinenumber4

FGS/NIRISS operates over a wavelength range of 0.8 to 5.0 microns

hexoutlinenumber5

Fine Guidance Sensor / Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (FGS/NIRISS)

An image of Webb'<a href=s iInstrument infrared sensitivity wavelength ranges." width="407" height="241" />

FGS/NIRISS operates over a wavelength range of 0.8 to 5.0 microns

The Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS) allows Webb to point precisely, so that it can obtain high-quality images. The Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph part of the FGS/NIRISS is used to investigate the following science objectives: first light detection, exoplanet detection and characterization, and exoplanet transit spectroscopy.

FGS/NIRISS has a wavelength range of 0.8 to 5.0 microns, and is a specialized instrument with three main modes, each of which addresses a separate wavelength range. FGS is a "guider," which helps point the telescope.