Light Activated James Web Telescope Model

This instructable was created in fulfillment of the project requirement of the Makecourse at the University of South Florida (www.makecourse.com)

The James Web Telescope is the most powerful telescope ever launched into space. It is believed to be 6 times as strong as the Hubble telescope. It uses improved infrared resolution to allow it to see extremely old and distant objects. It will be able to observe galaxies that are up to 13 billion light-years from Earth, which will unfold cosmic history like nothing else has been able to do.

What struck my eye about the telescope is the shiny gold hexagonal mirrors which are the main focus of the telescope. I was very interested in the way these mirrors folded out once it was deployed into space.

For my project I have 3d printed a model of the telescope in which the two end panels swing in and out of place to complete the "unfolding" . I thought since the purpose of these mirrors is to absorb light, then a light triggered system was the best way to go.

• 2 Servo Motors (w/ servo mounts)
• 1 photoresistor
• 1 Black electrical box (https://www.polycase.com/dc-47p)
• 1 Breadboard
• 1 Arduino Uno
• 1 10 K-ohm Resistor
• Gold, Black, and Silver PLA
• 6 M3 screws
• USB extension
• Jumper and Electrical Wires
• Light Source (phone, flashlight, etc.)

I designed these parts to closely resemble the real telescope as best I could. The main hexagons in the center I made sure was the focus of my project. The silver sun shields as well as the camera are for show. I decided to place my photoresistor in the center of the base so that the hexagonal panels will be getting direct light at the same time as the photoresistor. I used a black plastic box that was given to me in class as the housing of my electrical components and the main object the components are fastened to. This box along with the electrical component are the only non-3D printed parts to my project.

I used an ender 3 pro to print all of my parts. The settings of my printer were 70 and 230 Degrees Celsius for the Bed and Nozzle respectively. Below I have a list of all parts and the color for each next to it. The STL's of each part are attached below. I recommend slicing using zigzag supports on low infill. I used Cura slicing software and 15% infill.

• Back Main Fastener B
• Base Hex B
• Base B
• Sun Shield 1 S
• Sun Shield 2 S
• Front Cover Hybrid B
• Hexagons G
• Hex Side L B
• Hex Side R B
• Hinge Caps B
• Hinge-Servo Mount B
• Photoresistor Cover B
• Camera B

Assembly Process

1. Solder the ends of the photoresistor to insulated wire and pull it through the middle of the base. This will allow you to plug the wires into the breadboard without having wires sticking out of your project.

2. Slide the Two side panels into the Hinge slots. These hinges will attached to the servo and our the moving parts to this project

3. Attach the hexagon base into the main base part. These will be the two main components that hold everything together. Then slide the two hinge caps on the hinges (the poles). Slide the fastener over the top of them. you may need to use adhesive so everything stays fixed. Lastly screw two M3's into the slots on the fastener. This will complete the base of the project.

4. Next place the front cover and half 1 of the sun shield over the holes of the box. Screw in two M3's into these slots so the parts are nice and fixed. The sun shield of this project is for show.

5. Once you have placed the servo mounts on the servos, place the servos in their holders on the front cover. Now slide the Hinges(Poles) onto the servo mounts. These components make sure that the servos stay in place and that the servos can turn without obstruction.

6. Print out your gold hexagons and place them in very slot. This is what makes the project pop!

7. Before you fasten the 2nd sun shield and the camera make sure to hook up and text your electronics that I will go over in the next step.

Here is my Circuit Diagram

I have a photoresistor connected to Analog input and ground as well as a 10 Kilo-Ohm Resistor which is connected to ground. Then the two servos have an input and then are connected to 5V and ground each.

Here is my Arduino Program

Light, which I used a flashlight, will shine directly as the photoresistor. The photoresistor will send a value to the Arduino. I then programmed my servos to turn a certain angle when a value is over a certain threshold. When there is no light it falls beneath this threshold and they go back to their original position.

I utilized the servo library to define my servos. I then used analog read function to determine the value that my photoresistor was getting. Once this value was determined by testing I created two scenarios in which light is on and off. These angles are set for each servo with offset angles as they turn different directions.

Finally, place the breadboard in the box in between the two servos and the Arduino perpendicular next to the edge of the box as shown in the picture.

Attach the camera fixture and the last half of the sunshield.

Make sure to pull the USB wire attached to the Arduino through the slot of the sun shield.

Plug the USB into your computer, run the Arduino code and use any source of light (phone works well).

Now you have a working James Web Telescope Model!

Here is a link to the video: https://youtube.com/shorts/loLoqQNYEB0?feature=share