Webb Science

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.

This image is from Webb’s NIRCam instrument, which saw this nebula in the near-infrared.
Webb Science THeme

Early Universe

Webb is a powerful time machine with infrared vision that is peering back over 13.5 billion years to see the first stars and galaxies forming out of the darkness of the early universe.

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The image shows the galaxy cluster SMACS 0723 as it appeared 4.6 billion years ago
galaxy cluster SMACS 0723 is overflowing with detail. Thousands of galaxies – including the faintest objects ever observed in the infrared – have appeared in Webb’s view for the first time.
NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI
Webb Science THeme

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.

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NASA’s Webb Sheds Light on Galaxy Evolution, Black Holes
In the James Webb Space Telescope’s image of Stephan’s Quintet, we see 5 galaxies, 4 of which interact. (The left galaxy is actually much closer to us than the rest of the group!) These colliding galaxies are pulling and stretching each other in a gravitational dance. Webb will revolutionize our knowledge of star formation and gas interactions within: nasa.gov/webbfirstimages/
NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI
Webb Science THeme

Star Lifecycle

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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An image of the Carina Nebula.
Behind the curtain of dust and gas in these “Cosmic Cliffs” are previously hidden baby stars, now uncovered by Webb. We know — this is a show-stopper. Just take a second to admire the Carina Nebula in all its glory.
Webb Science THeme

Other Worlds

Webb is telling us more about the atmospheres of extrasolar planets, and perhaps will even find the building blocks of life elsewhere in the universe. In addition to other planetary systems, Webb is also studying objects within our own Solar System.

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NASA’s Webb Reveals Steamy Atmosphere of Distant Planet in Detail.
The James Webb Space Telescope spotted the unambiguous signature of water, indications of haze & evidence for clouds (once thought not to exist there). This is the most detailed exoplanet spectrum to date!
NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI

Webb Science Goals Briefing

This video captures a briefing about Webb's science goals. It occured ~30 days before Webb's launch.




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Discover More Topics From NASA

Stars

Galaxies

Looking like a pinwheel, this face-on spiral galaxy holds a bright-white core at image center. Arms curve outward from the core. They hold dark dust lanes and bright star-forming regions. All on a black background dotted with stars.

Exoplanets

The Big Bang