Composing Webb Telescope Images

Want to know how the James Webb Space Telescope’s observations are transformed from black-and-white data into full-color images? Follow along as Joe DePasquale and Alyssa Pagan, science visuals developers at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, explain how they process the telescope’s images from start to finish.

Joe shares what happens before the data are downloaded (hint: a lot!) and why its raw images appear almost black. He goes on to explain how stretching and compression are techniques they use to reveal the bulk of what Webb captured.

Alyssa shares how they assign color and compose Webb’s final images to emphasize scientifically valuable details. She also explains how infrared light is different than visible light, and how she and Joe compose the final full-color images.

In addition to the full video at the top of the page, all four sections are available for download on this page.

Read the companion article.