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
Science & Exploration

Webb confirms its first exoplanet

11/01/2023 47097 views 273 likes
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Webb liftoff on Ariane 5, 25 December 2021
Science & Exploration

One year ago, a perfect launch for the James Webb Space Tel…

19/12/2022 13763 views 95 likes
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Artist impression of WASP-39 b and its star
Science & Exploration

Webb reveals an exoplanet atmosphere as never seen before

24/11/2022 14328 views 169 likes
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Tarantula Nebula – NIRSpec IFU
Science & Exploration

How Webb's NIRSpec instrument opened up 200 windows to our …

18/11/2022 9416 views 99 likes
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Science & Exploration

Webb catches fiery hourglass as new star forms

16/11/2022 9932 views 120 likes
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Science & Exploration

How MIRI became Webb’s coolest instrument

08/11/2022 12239 views 120 likes
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Science & Exploration

Haunting portrait: Webb reveals dust and structure in Pilla…

28/10/2022 33580 views 195 likes
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Webb's view around the extremely red quasar SDSS J165202.64+172852.3
Science & Exploration

Webb uncovers dense cosmic knot in the early Universe

20/10/2022 9231 views 123 likes
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Webb's portrait of the Pillars of Creation (NIRCam)
Science & Exploration

Webb takes a stunning, star-filled portrait of the Pillars …

19/10/2022 29829 views 195 likes
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Science & Exploration

Webb and Hubble capture detailed views of DART impact

29/09/2022 12808 views 116 likes
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Neptune close-up (NIRCam Image)
Science & Exploration

New Webb image captures clearest view of Neptune’s rings in…

21/09/2022 46151 views 361 likes
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MIRI integration into JWST payload module
Science & Exploration

Webb's Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) operations update

20/09/2022 34153 views 144 likes
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Science & Exploration

Mars is mighty in first Webb observations of Red Planet

19/09/2022 40844 views 216 likes
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Tarantula Nebula – NIRCam
Science & Exploration

Webb captures a cosmic tarantula

06/09/2022 27910 views 202 likes
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Heart of the Phantom Galaxy
Science & Exploration

Webb inspects the heart of the Phantom Galaxy

29/08/2022 222528 views 1484 likes
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Artist impression of WASP-39 b and its star
Science & Exploration

Webb detects carbon dioxide in exoplanet atmosphere

25/08/2022 8697 views 118 likes
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Cartwheel Galaxy (NIRCam and MIRI)
Science & Exploration

Webb captures stellar gymnastics in the Cartwheel Galaxy

02/08/2022 22328 views 226 likes
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Webb's first images - highlights
Science & Exploration

First images from Webb telescope reveal unseen Universe

12/07/2022 310184 views 328 likes
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Cosmic Cliffs in Carina – NIRCam
Science & Exploration

Webb reveals “Cosmic Cliffs” – a glittering landscape of st…

12/07/2022 39613 views 310 likes
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Stephan’s Quintet – NIRCam and MIRI imaging
Science & Exploration

Webb sheds light on galaxy evolution, black holes

12/07/2022 28684 views 242 likes
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Southern Ring Nebula in near- and mid-infrared light
Science & Exploration

Webb captures dying star’s final ‘performance’ in fine deta…

12/07/2022 31832 views 233 likes
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Exoplanet WASP-96 b – NIRISS transmission spectrum
Science & Exploration

Webb reveals steamy atmosphere of distant planet in exquisi…

12/07/2022 16208 views 141 likes
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Webb’s first deep field (MIRI and NIRCam)
Science & Exploration

Webb delivers deepest image of Universe yet

12/07/2022 35706 views 212 likes
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Webb’s first deep field
Science & Exploration

Webb delivers deepest infrared image of Universe yet in spe…

12/07/2022 38451 views 460 likes
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Deployment test of James Webb Space Telescope's primary mirror
Science & Exploration

Cosmic targets for Webb Telescope’s first images announced

08/07/2022 12388 views 124 likes
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Science & Exploration

How to see Webb’s new images

05/07/2022 215661 views 146 likes
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Science & Exploration

Looking ahead to Webb’s first images

01/06/2022 28485 views 236 likes
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MIRI integration into JWST payload module
Science & Exploration

Webb’s coldest instrument reaches operating temperature

13/04/2022 18688 views 97 likes
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Webb reaches alignment milestone: image of focused star
Science & Exploration

Webb reaches alignment milestone

16/03/2022 22004 views 338 likes
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Gaia snaps photo of Webb
Science & Exploration

Gaia snaps photo of Webb at L2

16/03/2022 30814 views 137 likes
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Science & Exploration

Photons received: Webb sees its first star – 18 times

11/02/2022 22338 views 266 likes
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Agency

Join Webb Quest: Mind-blowing mission to the early Universe

27/01/2022 15922 views 156 likes
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Science & Exploration

Webb has arrived at L2

24/01/2022 14478 views 331 likes
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Webb cartoon
Agency

Join ESA’s Pixel your Webb challenge now!

24/01/2022 2548 views 7 likes
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Deployment test of James Webb Space Telescope's primary mirror
Agency

Join ESA’s Webb Challenges

17/01/2022 4217 views 41 likes
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Announcing the winners of Webb contests
Science & Exploration

Announcing the winners of Webb contests

10/01/2022 2480 views 9 likes
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Deployment test of James Webb Space Telescope's primary mirror
Science & Exploration

Webb deployment complete

08/01/2022 26933 views 297 likes
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Science & Exploration

Webb sunshield fully deployed

05/01/2022 11652 views 231 likes
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Science & Exploration

Precise Ariane 5 launch likely to extend Webb's expected li…

29/12/2021 27724 views 393 likes
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Webb liftoff on Ariane 5, 25 December 2021
Science & Exploration

Webb liftoff on Ariane 5 to unlock secrets of the Universe

25/12/2021 38320 views 147 likes
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Science & Exploration

Liftoff in images: Webb on Ariane 5

25/12/2021 7887 views 233 likes
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Science & Exploration

Webb on Ariane 5 roll-out to the launch pad

23/12/2021 9545 views 205 likes
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Science & Exploration

Webb launch date confirmed for 25 December

22/12/2021 22015 views 746 likes
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Science & Exploration

Webb: new target launch date

21/12/2021 23457 views 367 likes
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Science & Exploration

Webb flies Ariane 5: watch the launch live

21/12/2021 111125 views 345 likes
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Science & Exploration

Webb secured inside Ariane 5 fairing

20/12/2021 11844 views 104 likes
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Artist representation of the JWST
Enabling & Support

ESA to pick up as Webb phones home

20/12/2021 7497 views 122 likes
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Science & Exploration

Webb launch confirmed for 24 December

18/12/2021 11961 views 378 likes
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Science & Exploration

Webb launch date update

15/12/2021 2330 views 56 likes
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Science & Exploration

Webb placed on top of Ariane 5

14/12/2021 38973 views 251 likes
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