Webb's Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) operations update

The James Webb Space Telescope’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) has four observing modes. On 24 August, a mechanism that supports one of these modes, known as medium-resolution spectroscopy (MRS), exhibited what appears to be increased friction during setup for a science observation. This mechanism is a grating wheel that allows scientists to select between short, medium, and longer wavelengths when making observations using the MRS mode. Following preliminary health checks and investigations into the issue, an anomaly review board was convened on 6 September to assess the best path forward.

The Webb team has paused in scheduling observations using this particular observing mode while they continue to analyse its behavior and are currently developing strategies to resume MRS observations as soon as possible. The observatory is in good health, and MIRI’s other three observing modes – imaging, low-resolution spectroscopy, and coronagraphy – are operating normally and remain available for science observations.