Inside the cleanroom on the afternoon of April 25, 2016 - James Webb Space Telescope primary mirrors being uncovered at NASA Goddard in preparation for instrument installation.
Why are we taking the JWST mirror covers off? The covers are just lightly fastened and protect the mirrors while they are face up. We'll rotate JWST so the mirrors are face-down to install the instruments behind the primary mirror. Thus the covers are coming off.
Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn
Image description: The covers being removed from the hexagonal gold mirrors of the James Webb Space Telescope. Two people in cleanroom “bunny” suits lay on diving boards over the mirror, which lays face pointed up,very carefully removing the covers one at a time. In this photo 6 covers have been removed, revealing the golden mirrors beneath. These are the 4 center line mirrors and two in the 4 and 5 o’clock positions. The two workers each hold part of another cover as they remove it. The worker on the right is reflected in the mirrors. Each of the black covers has a white sign on it noting which mirror segment it is. Each segment has a unique designation including A, B, or C and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 depending on its prescription and location.
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