What Makes James Webb So Special?

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is already seeing farther than Hubble ever dreamed.

“A very processed (maybe even over-processed) version of Jupiter from JWST. Here we’re viewing the planet only in infrared, and the ring, usually invisible, is plain for all to see. The colors are definitely unusual.” (Image credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / Judy Schmidt)

A new generation of astrophysicists, star-gazers and astronomers have already been inspired by the wonders of the James Webb Space Telescope.

A submission to our #JWSTArt social media campaign by Courtney Ngo: “This is me eagerly waiting for July 12 to arrive to see the first images taken by the JWST!” (Image credit: Courtney Ngo)

Early during the COVID19 pandemic, while many people- including many students and their teachers- were stuck at home, watching the intergalactic story of James Webb unfold was the perfect escape.

NASA has more ways than ever to connect people with experiences in science, engineering and space travel. What you once had to go to summer space camp to learn, kids of all ages can now learn virtually through NASA’s website, YouTube, social media, and its Flickr page.

Watching Webb’s construction offered an unrestricted glimpse behind the scenes in a STEM field NASA scientists very much hope the next generation is considering entering.