NASA Webb TelescopeVerified account

@NASAWebb

Launched: Dec. 25, 2021. First images: Expected in summer 2022. Follow along as the world's most powerful space telescope gets ready to !

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webb.nasa.gov
Joined April 2009
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  1. Pinned Tweet
    Mar 16

    Small adjustments, major progress! Having completed 2 more mirror alignment steps, ’s optical performance will be able to meet or exceed its science goals. Now that’s good optics! 😉 Curious about this image? Thread ⬇️

    An engineering image from Webb which shows a bright star in the foreground with small galaxies and stars in the background. The bright objects in this photo are reddish, a color chosen to optimize visual contrast. Credit: NASA/STScI
    400 replies . 5,449 retweets 21,858 likes
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  2. Retweeted
    16 hours ago

    Discovery Alert! 65 new worlds push the number of exoplanets confirmed by above 5,000. This represents 30 years of exploration and discovery by astronomers worldwide using telescopes on the ground and in space. We are living in an age of discovery!

    NASA confirms 5,000 Planets – and Counting
    Using powerful telescopes, in space and on the ground, astronomers have confirmed more than 5,000 exoplanets – planets beyond our solar system. But it’s just a fraction of the billions in our galaxy.
    79 replies . 1,072 retweets 4,282 likes
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  3. Mar 18

    What's lined up for ? So far, Webb's mirrors are only aligned with its NIRCam instrument. In the next 6 weeks, the telescope will undergo multi-instrument alignment to be well-aligned across all of its science instruments:

    Webb Telescope Alignment Over Instrument Fields of View
    This animation shows the sixth phase of the Webb telescope's mirror alignment process. During this phase, the team takes about 6 weeks to align the telescope across all of its science instruments.
    44 replies . 277 retweets 1,809 likes
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  4. Mar 17

    .’s Deep Space Network allows scientists and engineers to “talk” with spacecraft in deep space, including Webb. 🗣️ Now it's even easier — just welcomed its newest Deep Space Network antenna, DSS-53, in Madrid! More:

    Built in Under 60 Seconds
    NASA has welcomed a powerful new radio antenna to its global network of parabolic dishes, which communicate with spacecraft throughout the solar system.
    23 replies . 249 retweets 1,913 likes
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  5. Mar 16

    Thanks for cheering us on during our “eye exam,” ! We’re reflecting on our progress now that the universe is almost within our sights. Can’t wait to share it all with you and everyone back on Earth!

    Cartoon style drawing of the Webb space telescope looking at an eye chart that the Roman space telescope is holding. The letter E is written numerous times on the board. Roman says " Now try this", Webb responds " It's all becoming clear to me." The background is black with glowing white dots to portray stars.
    Congrats on completing two more mirror alignment milestones, ! We love your focus.
    19 replies . 114 retweets 1,326 likes
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  6. Mar 16

    Looking sharp, Webb! A special lens inside the NIRCam instrument took a "selfie" of Webb's mirror segments, verifying their alignment with NIRCam. The segments are bright as they are all collecting light from the same star in unison.

    This new “selfie” was created using a specialized pupil imaging lens inside of the NIRCam instrument that was designed to take images of the primary mirror segments instead of images of the sky. This configuration is not used during scientific operations and is used strictly for engineering and alignment purposes. In this image, all of Webb’s 18 primary mirror segments are shown collecting light from the same star in unison. Credit: NASA/STScI
    74 replies . 808 retweets 6,613 likes
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  7. Retweeted
    Mar 16

    LIVE NOW: Watch as we discuss our ongoing alignment of ’s mirrors—and what's next for the space telescope. Tag your questions with . 🌌

    48 replies . 364 retweets 2,415 likes
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  8. Mar 16

    Look how far we've come: We started with 18 scattered dots — 18 reflections of the same star, one from each of Webb’s primary mirror segments. These dots were then re-arranged, stacked, and fine-tuned, setting the stage for our first science images this summer!

    55 replies . 896 retweets 4,472 likes
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  9. Mar 16

    Colors in space telescope images sometimes recreate the way our eyes see; other times they’re selected to highlight interesting features of an object, such as different elements in a nebula. Here, the red color palette of Webb’s image was chosen to optimize visual contrast.

    7 replies . 81 retweets 1,248 likes
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  10. Mar 16

    Fan of a photo filter? & Webb actually record light in black and white. They use filters that allow only a specific color of light through. The filtered images are then individually colored by scientists and image processors, then combined:

    5 replies . 102 retweets 964 likes
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  11. Mar 16

    While the purpose of Webb’s latest image was to focus on a bright star and evaluate the alignment progress, Webb’s optics are so sensitive that galaxies and other stars can be seen in the background. Watch this video for an in-depth explanation of how the image was created!

    NASA’s Webb Reaches Alignment Milestone, Optics Working Successfully
    After completion of critical mirror alignment steps, the Webb team has great confidence that Webb’s optical performance will meet or exceed its science goals. Credit: NASAGoddard
    24 replies . 439 retweets 2,405 likes
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  12. Mar 14

    📺 Watch our virtual media briefing at noon EDT (16:00 UTC) on March 16th on to see a progress update on Webb’s mirror alignment! Experts will discuss the latest imagery. Use to ask questions. Media RSVP info:

    An image of Webb at Northrop Grumman. The golden mirror has its wings folded back into launch configuration. Image credit: NASA/Chris Gunn
    29 replies . 296 retweets 2,261 likes
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  13. Retweeted
    Mar 11

    I wonder if they will let me hang up my favorite superhero posters in the cleanroom? I cannot wait to join these fantastic telescopes! Is there an application that I need to fill out to join the team ?

    8 replies . 44 retweets 387 likes
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  14. Mar 10

    Out of the darkness of the early universe, stars began to form. We believe these first stars were made of hydrogen, helium — and not much else, as heavier elements weren't created yet! will study a distant galaxy to learn more:

    Infographic comparing the composition of first generation stars with later generations of stars, such as our Sun. On the left, a pie chart representing the composition of first stars is 25% helium and 75% hydrogen, with a pop-up stating: "trace amounts of lithium." On the right, a pie chart representing the Sun is 27% helium, 71% hydrogen, and 2% heavier elements (separated into oxygen, carbon, iron, and other).
    38 replies . 309 retweets 1,975 likes
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  15. Retweeted
    Mar 9

    Space is big. Stunningly, staggeringly, almost-impossibly big. Exploring this vast expanse takes a team. Over time, legendary space telescopes answered the call: , , Spitzer, Kepler, TESS, and now, . This is their story.

    Exoplanet Superhero Space Telescopes
    A superhero team of NASA's space telescopes has been working tirelessly to discover exoplanets and unveil their secrets. Now, a new hero joins the team — the James Webb Space Telescope.
    59 replies . 471 retweets 2,093 likes
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  16. Retweeted
    Mar 8

    Spectra detectives 🕵️‍♀️🔎🌈 determining distance! In this video, discover how astronomers read spectra to measure the vast distances of space 📏 Animation: / / Dani Player ( ) 🎶 Steve Combs

    18 replies . 183 retweets 843 likes
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  17. Retweeted
    Mar 8

    At NASA, women are making history every day as leaders and role models for the next generation of explorers. Join us in commemorating by learning about some who inspire us:

    Kayla Barron sets up hardware on the International Space Station
    NASA Marshall engineers help return astronauts to the Moon
    Ninith Abraham works on the JWST
    Malene McElroy, NASA Marshall Sustainability Coordinator
    74 replies . 654 retweets 4,418 likes
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  18. Mar 8

    What are some ways we can tell that distant planets are orbiting a star, and how can we by peeking at their atmospheres? Space scientist Dr. Giada Arney talks about the techniques will use to study other worlds in this video 👇

    Exploring Alien Worlds with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope
    18 replies . 229 retweets 1,240 likes
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  19. Mar 5

    Program Director Gregory Robinson and other NASA leaders were recognized today at the Innovation&Equity 21: 50 Most Important African Americans in Technology event, with Robinson receiving the Roy L. Clay Sr. Technology Pinnacle Award:

    Webb Telescope Program Director Greg Robinson holds a microphone while speaking to a woman on the right. Behind him is a model of the Webb Telescope's rocket, an Ariane 5 launch vehicle.
    23 replies . 110 retweets 890 likes
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  20. Mar 4

    View the full infographic on Webb and the early universe from : Credit: NASA, ESA, Joyce Kang (STScI)

    Segment of an infographic on how the James Webb Space Telescope will study the early universe. 4 illustrations are shown, labeled as follows: "Stars begin forming, heating gas;" "Stars assemble into galaxies;" "Galaxies become more massive;" and "Clear universe; end of deionization." Text at the top says: What We Do Know - After the first stars formed, the universe was still cast in a gaseous fog, but as stars and young galaxies continued to evolve and produce more energetic light, they began to change the gas around them — converting it from neutral to ionized gas. Eventually, they transformed the space, making it possible to observe these early galaxies.
    10 replies . 79 retweets 728 likes
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