A New View of Space

What do faraway galaxies look like? That’s one of many questions scientists hope to answer with the James Webb Space Telescope. Launched in December of last year, it’s the biggest, most powerful telescope ever sent into space. In July, NASA, the U.S. space agency, released some of the stunning first images taken by the telescope. They include photos of distant galaxies and newly formed stars.

Our galaxy is called the Milky Way. The sun is one of billions of stars in our galaxy. But the Milky Way isn’t the only galaxy in the universe. There are so many other galaxies that scientists can’t count them all! 

The Webb telescope is taking pictures of some of the farthest galaxies ever seen. They formed more than 13 billion years ago. Scientists are hoping that the Webb telescope will give new clues about the beginning of the universe.

Scientists also plan to use the Webb telescope to discover many other secrets of space.

“I can’t wait to see the discoveries that we uncover,” says NASA official Bill Nelson. “The team is just getting started!”