Elements of Webb: Why Does Webb Use Black Paint

Explore why the James Webb Space Telescope's radiators are coated in super-black paint called Ball Infrared Black (BIRB) and how its exceptional emissivity plays a crucial role in regulating the telescope's temperature for precise infrared observations.  To learn more about the elements used in the James Webb Space Telescope, please explore the complete Elements of Webb pathway.

Topics

  • radiation
  • infrared astronomy
  • heat transfer
  • BIRB
  • Ball Infrared Black
  • emissivity
  • temperature control
  • infrared observations
  • heat emission
  • Stephan-Boltzmann Law
  • space technology
  • James Webb Space Telescope
  • JWST