What Is the James Webb Space Telescope?
An animation illustrating what the James Webb Space Telescope Looks like. Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (modified)
The James Webb Space Telescope is about the same size as a tennis court and about as tall as a 3-story building! Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
It can see through dust clouds.
Infrared cameras can see through dust and smoke. Credit: NASA/IPAC/Pasadena Fire Dept.
It wears a "hat" to help block heat and light from the Sun.
This animation shows how the sunshield will unfold when the Webb telescope reaches its home in orbit. Credit: NASA
It uses giant, gold-coated mirrors to see the universe.
Engineers inspecting the Webb telescope’s mirrors at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn
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It will be hunting for signs of life on other planets.
Could life survive on this faraway planet? Astronomers study the light from stars and planets to see if they might have the ingredients for life. Animation credit: NASA/ESA/Dani Player (STScI), Music credit: Steve Combs
