Science Overview
The James Webb Space Telescope is a giant leap forward in our quest to understand the Universe and our origins. Webb is examining every phase of cosmic history: from the first luminous glows after the Big Bang to the formation of galaxies, stars, and planets to the evolution of our own solar system. Webb’s infrared-detecting technology reveals the hidden universe to our eyes: stars shrouded in clouds of dust, water in the atmospheres of other worlds, and the first light from some of the earliest galaxies ever formed.
James Webb Space Telescope
Science Themes
Explore Webb's four primary science themes as well as view/filter/search Webb's published research by science theme.
Early Universe
Webb is a powerful “time machine” with infrared vision that can see back over 13.5 billion years to the era in the early universe when the first stars and galaxies started forming. Webb is the first telescope with the power and capability to see the light from these distant objects, which has been shifted to the infrared due to the expansion of the universe. This period in the universe’s history is known as “Cosmic Dawn” – approximately 50 million years to one billion years after the big bang.
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Galaxies Over Time
Webb’s unprecedented infrared sensitivity is helping astronomers to compare the faintest, earliest galaxies to today’s grand spirals and ellipticals, helping us to understand how galaxies assemble over billions of years. Webb can observe galaxies in the distant universe as well as nearby galaxies helping scientists to better understand their growth and evolution. This includes how galaxies came to have central supermassive black holes, what the stellar populations in early galaxies look like, how elements heavier than hydrogen formed, details about galaxy mergers, and the process of galaxy formation itself.
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Star Lifecycle
Webb is advancing our understanding of the life cycles of stars, from star birth and planet formation to star death, wherein matter is released back into space, allowing new stars and planets to form from their remnants. Webb is able to see right through and into massive clouds of dust that are opaque to visible-light observatories like Hubble, where stars and planetary systems are being born.
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Other Worlds
Webb is rapidly discovering an abundance of chemicals in the atmospheres of planets orbiting other stars outside of our solar system. In addition to other planetary systems, Webb is also studying objects within our own solar system. Webb has the capability to look at the light from a distant planet, orbiting another star, and tell us what its atmosphere is made of, and even give us information about its climate and weather. From gas giants to rocky planets, from lava worlds to those with skies of silica “snow,” Webb is showing us a rich variety of planets and helping scientists investigate the potential for life in other planetary systems.
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Explore Webb Research by Theme
NOTE: the feed below includes only Webb's Science Releases (peer reviewed science), Webb Science Release associated images/videos and Webb Science Blogs (early release science). These items can be further filtered by Webb's four primary science themes. Visit our News page for Webb's full news feed (including Webb press releases and Webb articles authored by other NASA organizations.)
Filter, Search and Sort Notes: Initial filtered results displayed below show all articles that match ANY of the filters for all dates. Once one or more filter options are checked , only articles that MATCH ANY (logical OR) of the checked filters are displayed within the date range selected. The MATCH ALL (logical AND) filter operator will reduce the matching set to only those articles that match ALL checked filters within the date range. The "Search Latest Content" box searches for the terms entered within the subset of filtered articles. You can also sort the results by date in descending (newest first) or ascending (oldest first).
Filters
Two heads are better than one in the latest images from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, which reveal new detail…
The differences in what Webb’s infrared instruments reveal and conceal within the PMR 1 “Exposed Cranium” nebula is apparent in…
These images of the “Exposed Cranium” nebula PMR 1, captured by the James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) and…
This video compares infrared views of the PMR 1 “Exposed Cranium” nebula taken by NASA’s retired Spitzer Space Telescope, as…
Forty million years ago, a star in a nearby galaxy exploded, spewing material across space and generating a brilliant beacon…
The main image at left shows a combined Webb and Hubble view of spiral galaxy NGC 1637. Panels at right…
Image of galaxy NGC 1637 captured by Hubble’s WFC3 and Webb’s NIRCam, with compass arrows, scale bar, and color key…
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has “supercharged” what astronomers know about star formation with its sharp near- and mid-infrared observations.…
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has topped itself once again, delivering on its promise to push the boundaries of the…
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope shows galaxy MoM-z14 as it appeared in the distant past, only 280 million years after…
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope shows galaxy MoM-z14 as it appeared in the distant past, only 280 million years after…
Astronomers have long sought evidence to explain why comets at the outskirts of our own solar system contain crystalline silicates,…
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s 2024 NIRCam image shows protostar EC 53 circled. Researchers using new data from Webb’s MIRI…
This illustration represents half the disk of gas and dust surrounding the protostar EC 53. Stellar outbursts periodically form crystalline…
This image of protostar EC 53 in the Serpens Nebula, captured by the James Webb Space Telescope’s Near Infrared Camera…
Webb's Science Goals Briefing
This video captures a briefing about Webb's science goals. It occured ~30 days before Webb's launch.
