Ready for Launch:
The James Webb Space Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is the largest astrophysics mission in NASA's history, currently expected to launch on Saturday, December 25 around 7:20am.

With a segmented mirror extending 6 meters across, and a sunshield the size of a tennis court, this mammoth observatory is folded up for launch, and unfurls as it travels to its final orbit a million miles away.  JWST was designed to see the first galaxies forming shortly after the Big Bang, and has been nicknamed the “First Light Machine." But its infrared sensitivity allows it to peer into dusty environments, making it the perfect instrument to explore the regions where stars and planets form, and to trace how galaxies have evolved over time. JWST's potential is so transformative for astronomy that three international space agencies – NASA, ESA and the Canadian Space Agency – have partnered together to bring it to launch.

Get ready for Webb’s launch by watching the recordings of our Webb-themed programs:

Resources:

More information about Webb:

• www.jwst.nasa.gov

• www.webbtelescope.org

• www.nasa.gov/webb

Webb and NASA social media channels:

• Webb Facebook

• Webb Instagram

• Webb Twitter

• NASA Facebook

• NASA Twitter

• NASA Instagram