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 NASA published research by science theme. Each Webb science theme detail page includes the theme's key questions, discoveries, detailed discussions, images and NASA published for the theme.
Early Universe
Webb is allowing astronomers to see, for the first time, the era in the early universe when the first stars and galaxies formed. Though other telescopes have seen further back, no telescope has ever had the infrared sensitivity or a large enough mirror to show us “Cosmic Dawn,” a period from approximately 50 million years to one billion years after the big bang.
Key Questions/Discoveries/Discussion
Galaxies Over Time
Webb can observe both early and modern 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.
Key Questions/Discoveries/Discussion
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.
Key Questions/Discoveries/Discussion
Other Worlds
Webb has the capability to look at light from tiny and distant planets, orbiting other stars, and tell us what their atmospheres are made of, as well as what their climate and weather are like. Webb can also examine objects within our own solar system, giving us new insight into the physical and chemical properties of the smallest bodies to our gas giants. From gas giants to rocky planets, from lava worlds to those with skies of silica “snow,” from interstellar comets visiting the solar system to the motion of aurora on Uranus, Webb is producing a rich variety of data on planetary systems and helping scientists investigate the potential for life beyond Earth.
Key Questions/Discoveries/Discussion
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 articles that match all of the filters listed for all dates. Once one or more article type filters checked (Images, Science Blogs, Science Releases, Videos), only articles that match the checked filters (logical ORd) are displayed within the date range if selected. When a Webb-Theme is selected, that filters a subset of the article types selected. 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
Through studying the early universe, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has brought us closer to understanding one of the most…
Although black holes themselves can’t be seen, astronomers can employ several techniques to infer their masses. For nearby black holes,…
At large distances, astronomers use Webb to tell how fast gas moves. Slower gas produces a narrow distribution of wavelengths,…
Astronomers theorize that little red dots, which are mostly present in the early universe, are active supermassive black holes. But,…
First discovered in 2007, fast radio bursts are enigmatic, millisecond-long flashes of radio emission from the distant universe. Their origin…
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) was able to detect the host galaxy of the fast radio burst…
Astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope were able to study the host galaxy of the most distant known fast…
This image of the host galaxy of fast radio burst FRB 20240304B, captured by the James Webb Space Telescope’s Near…
A cauldron of cosmic creation is being revealed in a new image from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. Webb has…
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has revealed many protostars and stars within the glowing gases of NGC 7129. Hot, atomic…
NASA’s retired Spitzer Space Telescope observed the gas and dust within NGC 7129; however, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s improved…
In the early history of our solar system, scientists theorize that a Mars-sized object called Theia smashed into the infant…
Webb's Science Goals Briefing
This video captures a briefing about Webb's science goals. It occured ~30 days before Webb's launch.
