What complementary scientific data does the FGS/NIRISS component of the JWST provide alongside its primary pointing function?

Answer

Complementary scientific data via the Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph.

The Fine Guidance Sensor/Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (FGS/NIRISS) serves a dual purpose on the James Webb Space Telescope. While the FGS component is crucial for the telescope's precision pointing system—ensuring the optics remain locked onto the target across vast distances—the NIRISS portion provides additional scientific utility. This second component collects complementary scientific data, indicating that it contributes unique measurements or observations alongside the primary imaging and spectroscopic instruments like NIRCam and NIRSpec, expanding the telescope's overall observational reach.

What complementary scientific data does the FGS/NIRISS component of the JWST provide alongside its primary pointing function?

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