Webb
Seeing farther
The mission
The James Webb Space Telescope (Webb) is the next great space science observatory following Hubble, designed to answer outstanding questions about the Universe and to make breakthrough discoveries in all fields of astronomy. Webb will see farther into our origins: from the formation of stars and planets, to the birth of the first galaxies in the early Universe. Webb is an international partnership between NASA, ESA and CSA. The telescope launched on an Ariane 5 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.
The launch
- Launch date: 25 December 2021
- Launch location: Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana
- Launch vehicle: Ariane 5
- Orbit: Lagrange point 2, 1.5 million km from Earth
- 6.5 m mirror
- 18 mirror segments
- 4 instruments
- 5 sunshield layers
Latest
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StoryScience & Exploration
Webb reveals “Cosmic Cliffs” – a glittering landscape of star birth
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StoryScience & Exploration
Webb reveals steamy atmosphere of distant planet in exquisite detail
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StoryScience & Exploration
Webb sheds light on galaxy evolution, black holes
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StoryScience & Exploration
Webb delivers deepest image of Universe yet
