The James Webb Space Telescope: 1st year of service.

NASA celebrated the first year of science operations of the James Webb Space Telescope on July 12, 2023, with the release of a stunning image of a star-forming region in the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex. The image, taken by Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), shows jets of gas and dust erupting from young stars and lighting up the surrounding interstellar medium. The Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex is the closest star-forming region to Earth, located about 390 light-years away.

The James Webb Space Telescope, launched on December 25, 2021, is the most powerful and complex space observatory ever built. It operates in the infrared spectrum, allowing it to peer through dust and gas that obscure visible light. Webb has a primary mirror of 6.5 meters in diameter, composed of 18 hexagonal segments that unfold in space. It also has a sunshield the size of a tennis court that protects it from the heat and light of the Sun.

In its first year of science, Webb has made groundbreaking discoveries in various fields of astronomy, from studying the atmospheres of exoplanets to observing the earliest galaxies in the universe. Webb has also explored our own solar system, revealing new details about planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. Webb is a joint project of NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), with contributions from many international partners.

NASA and its partners have organized several events to mark the anniversary of Webb’s science operations, including online webcasts, live presentations, virtual reality experiences, and educational activities. The public can join in the celebrations and learn more about Webb’s achievements and future plans by visiting www.nasa.gov/webb.
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