With reference to James Webb Space Telescope(JWST) and Hubble Space Telescope (HST), consider the following statements: HST can observe mainly in the ultraviolet and visible parts of the spectrum. On the other hand, JWST will primarily study the universe in the infrared spectrum. HST was present at the Earth-Sun L2 Lagrange point. On the other hand, JWST will orbit the Earth. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q. With reference to James Webb Space Telescope(JWST) and Hubble Space Telescope (HST), consider the following statements:
1. HST can observe mainly in the ultraviolet and visible parts of the spectrum. On the other hand, JWST will primarily study the universe in the infrared spectrum.
2. HST was present at the Earth-Sun L2 Lagrange point. On the other hand, JWST will orbit the Earth.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[A] 1 only

[B] 2 only

[C] Both 1 and 2

[D] Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

Notes:

Statement 1 is correct.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Hubble orbits the Earth at an altitude of ~570 km. Webb will not orbit the Earth, instead it will sit at the Earth-Sun L2 Lagrange point, 1.5 million km away. This means that Webb will orbit the Sun along with the Earth, but will stay fixed at the same spot in relation to the Earth and the Sun.

Source: Explained: NASA’s flagship telescope, and its successor

Post-Mains Strategy Session by Mr. Ayush Sinha | ForumIAS