It was the largest hit to the telescope and left a small but noticeable effect.
MICRO METEOROID UPDATE
We will use this flight data to update our analysis of performance over time and also develop operational approaches to assure we maximize the imaging performance of Webb to the best extent possible for many years to come. Key points: The micrometeoroid struck the telescope some time in late May, NASA says. Since launch, we have had four smaller measurable micrometeoroid strikes that were consistent with expectations, and this one more recently that is larger than our degradation predictions assumed. Optical telescope element manager for Webb, Lee Feinberg says, "With Webb's mirrors exposed to space, we expected that occasional micrometeoroid impacts would gracefully degrade telescope performance over time. The IAU officially defines meteorites as 30 micrometers to 1 meter micrometeorites are the small. Usually found on Earth 's surface, micrometeorites differ from meteorites in that they are smaller in size, more abundant, and different in composition. However, the positions of the mirrors can be adjusted to partially correct the distortions caused by the impacts, with the Webb team already making the first of these corrections after the strike. A micrometeorite is a micrometeoroid that has survived entry through the Earth's atmosphere. The impact was not a part of a shower, which the Webb can take steps to avoid.
We designed and built Webb with performance margin – optical, thermal, electrical, mechanical – to ensure it can perform its ambitious science mission even after many years in space
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