While the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is an incredibly powerful observatory, capable of observing the early universe and distant celestial objects, its primary mission is not focused on studying our own solar system. There are a few reasons why the JWST is not optimized for observing our immediate cosmic neighborhood:
Instrument Design: The instruments aboard the JWST are specifically designed to study the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. This allows it to observe very distant galaxies and objects that emit infrared radiation, such as those formed during the early stages of the universe. However, for studying our solar system, other types of observations, such as visible light and radio waves, are typically more appropriate.
Field of View: The JWST has a relatively narrow field of view compared to other telescopes. Its primary mirror is 6.5 meters in diameter, which is significantly larger than the Hubble Space Telescope's 2.4-meter mirror, but its field of view is smaller. This limitation makes it less suitable for capturing images of larger objects like planets within our own solar system.
Observation Time: The JWST's observation time is highly sought after and carefully allocated to various scientific programs. Given the telescope's capabilities and limited observation time, it is generally more beneficial to utilize its resources for studying the distant universe, where its unique capabilities truly shine, rather than focusing on objects within our solar system that can be observed by other instruments.
That being said, the JWST will still be able to make some observations of our solar system, particularly for specific targets of scientific interest, such as studying the atmospheres of exoplanets and characterizing small bodies like asteroids and comets. However, for routine observations and comprehensive studies of our immediate celestial surroundings, other telescopes like the Hubble Space Telescope and ground-based observatories are better suited.