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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Left - Jupiter (center), and its moons Europa, Thebe, and Metis are seen through the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRCam instrument 2.12 micron filter.
The Great Red Spot appears yellow because of the way the infrared image was processed.
Right - Jupiter and its moons Europa, Thebe, and Metis are seen through NIRCam’s 3.23 micron filter.
Scientists were especially eager to see these commissioning images because they are proof that Webb can observe the satellites and rings near bright solar system objects such as Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars. Scientists will use Webb to explore the tantalizing question of whether we can see plumes of material spewing out of moons like Europa and Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Webb may be able to see the signatures of plumes depositing material on the surface on Europa.