The process of collecting the light used to generate the image mosaic took about 25 hours, according to NASA. The 18 images of HD 84406 were pieced together from more than 1,500 images collected as Webb was pointed to various positions around the expected location of the star. The mirror will begin to align correctly following the various adjustments that the telescope will make over the coming months. Ultimately, those 18 stars will become one as all of the mirror segments are aligned to create a seamless surface.
After quite a few delays, JWST finally launched into space on Christmas Day, ending a decades-long waiting game. But the process didn’t stop there. Just days later, the telescope started entering its final form through a complex, two-week-long unfolding sequence. On January 4th, JWST successfully deployed its giant sun shield, which is essential to keeping its instruments cold. With the successful unfurling of its primary mirror on January 8th, all major deployments were completed. On January 24th, JWST reached its final orbit in space.
