NASA releases first images of the invisible universe taken by the Webb-Xinhua Telescope

An image released by NASA on July 12, 2022 shows Stefan’s Quintet, a group of five galaxies that are close together in the sky: two in the middle, one at the top, one at the top left, and one at the bottom. (NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI/Disclosure via Xinhua)

LOS ANGELES, Jul. 12 (Xinhua) — NASA on Tuesday released the first color images from the James Webb Space Telescope and its spectroscopic data, revealing unprecedented and detailed views of the universe.

According to NASA, Webb’s first observations tell the story of the hidden universe at every stage of cosmic history, from nearby exoplanets to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe.

“Today, we bring humanity a groundbreaking look at space from the James Webb Space Telescope, a view the world has never seen before,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

Images released by NASA include a detailed spectrum of the exoplanet’s atmosphere; the South Rim Nebula, an expanding cloud of gas surrounding a star about 2,000 light-years away; Stephen’s Quintet, a compact group of galaxies located in the constellation Pegasus; The Carina Nebula, the first rapid phases of star formation that were previously hidden.

On Monday, US President Joe Biden released another image created by Webb, the galaxy cluster SMACS 0723, which is filled with thousands of galaxies, including the faintest objects ever observed in infrared.

“These images, including the deepest look at our universe ever taken, show us how Webb will help us find answers to questions we don’t even know yet; questions that will help us better understand our universe and the humanity in it.” , Nelson said.

The publication of Webb’s first images and spectra marked the beginning of Webb’s science endeavors, where astronomers around the world will be able to observe anything from objects in the solar system to the early universe using four of Webb’s instruments, according to NASA.

Webb was launched from the Guyana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana on December 25, 2021 to investigate the structure and origin of the universe.

After completing a complex sequence of deployments in space, Webb went through months of commissioning where his mirrors were aligned and his instruments were calibrated for the space environment and prepared for science.

Webb is the largest and most powerful NASA space science telescope ever built. With a 6.5-meter primary mirror, the large infrared telescope will study all stages of cosmic history, from the solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe, according to NASA.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson (left) talks to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Assistant Director of Science Michelle Taller at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, USA, on July 12, 2022. (NASA/Bill Ingalls/Disclosure via Xinhua )

An image released by NASA on July 12, 2022 shows a near-infrared (left) and mid-infrared (right) side-by-side comparison of the South Rim Nebula from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. (NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI/Disclosure via Xinhua)