Stunning images from the James Webb Space Telescope show the Universe unlike anything seen before

In images of space captured unlike anything seen before, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has treated the world to some of the most stunning pictures of intergalactic wonders in the 12 months since its launch.

NASA, in collaboration with the Canadian and European Space Agency, launched JWST on December 25 last year. Since then, the telescope has shown planets in new light, discovered new details about the universe, and revealed a deeper understanding of existing galaxies.

Created to expand on the discoveries made by the famous Hubble Space Telescope, JWST became known as a step forward in the discovery of the universe with its huge mirror and specialized infrared light technology, capturing distant galaxies not visible to the naked eye. eye.

Here’s a look at some amazing images captured on the JWST since its launch:

THE DEEP INFRARED IMAGE OF THE UNIVERSE

In its first released image, JWST provided the deepest infrared image of the distant universe by capturing the galaxy cluster known as SMACS 0723.

The deep-field image was taken with the help of the NIRCam telescope and the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), detailing the galaxy cluster as it was 4.6 billion years ago, according to NASA.

While the composite image shows only a tiny patch of the sky, about the size of a grain of sand held at arm’s length, JWST was still able to photograph thousands of distant galaxies that appeared as bright, colored specks swarming around the dark abyss of space.

This image provided by NASA on Monday, July 11, 2022, shows the galaxy cluster SMACS 0723, captured by the James Webb Space Telescope. (NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI via AP)

WEBB’S FIRST DIRECT IMAGE OF AN EXOPLANE

Astronomers managed to capture the first direct image of an exoplanet by JWST. HIP 65426, which lies outside our solar system, was captured in four different filters of infrared light, paving the way to learn more about the gas giant planet.

The exoplanet was first observed in 2017 when astronomers discovered the planet through short wavelengths of infrared light. However, with JWST, the HIP 65246 b image was able to capture the planet at longer wavelengths, advancing discoveries made by ground-based telescopes.

“There are many more images of exoplanets to come that will shape our overall understanding of their physics, chemistry and formation. We may even discover planets that were previously unknown,” Aarynn Carter, principal investigator of the images, said in a statement.

Exoplanet detected by the James Webb Space Telescope. (NASA)

PILLARS OF CREATION BREW INFANT STARS

In a pile of cosmic dust and gas, newborn stars were captured by JWST in new images of the star-forming region “pillars of creation” found within the Eagle Nebula.

Known for their three long and sturdy columns, the pillars were first photographed by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1995 and then revisited in 2014 to bring the world the clearest image of the pillars to date. That was until JWST came along.

With JWST, astronomers were able to get a better look at the bright red stars forming within the nebula, which is estimated to be a few hundred thousand years old.

This composite image provided by NASA on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022, shows the Pillars of Creation as imaged by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope in 2014, left, and NASA’s James Webb Telescope, right. (NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI via AP)

NEW FACTS ON THE INTERNAL LIFE OF DIA

In a never-before-seen display of color, JWST was able to show Jupiter’s auroras spanning high altitudes at both the planet’s north and south poles.

Mapped in red in the new images, bright auroras appear to cause haze above Jupiter, accentuating the light reflected from lower clouds. Amidst the haze, the Great Red Spot, a massive storm large enough to engulf Earth, appears bright white, likely due to its extremely high altitude, according to NASA.

Researchers were surprised to see a glimpse of Jupiter’s turbulent conditions, and the new images open the door to further understanding of the planet’s dynamics and chemistry.

“This unique image summarizes the science of the Jupiter system program, which studies the dynamics and chemistry of Jupiter itself, its rings and its satellite system,” observation researcher Thierry Fouchet said in a statement.

This image provided by NASA shows a false color composite image of Jupiter taken by the James Webb Space Telescope on July 27, 2022. (NASA via AP)