The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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This image of Comet 238P/Read was captured by the NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) instrument on the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope on 8 September 2022. It displays the hazy halo, called the coma, and tail that are characteristic of comets, as opposed to asteroids. The dusty coma and tail result from the vapourisation of ices as the Sun warms the main body of the comet.
[Image description: In the centre of a black image, a small glowing, hazy point glows white, surrounded by blue that trails off to the lower right.]