ESA title

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
Webb

Latest

Webb and Hubble images overlapping
Science & Exploration

Webb and Hubble examine spooky galaxy pair

31/10/2024 738 views 19 likes
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NGC 602 (NIRCam and MIRI image)
Science & Exploration

First young brown dwarfs found outside the Milky Way?

23/10/2024 7406 views 88 likes
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Galaxy GS-NDG-9422
Science & Exploration

Webb finds potential missing link to first stars

25/09/2024 3375 views 65 likes
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Exoplanet Epsilon Indi Ab (MIRI image)
Science & Exploration

Webb images new, cold exoplanet 12 light-years away

24/07/2024 12897 views 65 likes
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Vivid Webb portrait of interacting galaxies Pinguin and Egg
Science & Exploration

Vivid Webb portrait of interacting galaxies Penguin and Egg

12/07/2024 5505 views 39 likes
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More items

  • Science & Exploration

    Webb reveals “Cosmic Cliffs” – a glittering landscape of star birth

    12/07/2022 39335 views 310 likes
    Open item
    Cosmic Cliffs in Carina – NIRCam
  • Science & Exploration

    Webb reveals steamy atmosphere of distant planet in exquisite detail

    12/07/2022 16066 views 140 likes
    Open item
    Exoplanet WASP-96 b – NIRISS transmission spectrum
  • Science & Exploration

    Webb sheds light on galaxy evolution, black holes

    12/07/2022 28439 views 242 likes
    Open item
    Stephan’s Quintet – NIRCam and MIRI imaging
  • Science & Exploration

    Webb delivers deepest image of Universe yet

    12/07/2022 34105 views 207 likes
    Open item
    Webb’s first deep field (MIRI and NIRCam)

Webb overview

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