From a Christmas launch to a tricky deployment, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is now successfully deployed and scientists are thrilled.
Space News & Blog Articles
Deployment of the James Webb Space Telescope Is Complete
The James Webb Space Telescope has unfolded its primary mirror, marking the end of the deployment phase for the observatory.
Webb deployment complete
Today the James Webb Space Telescope team successfully fully deployed its iconic 6.4-metre, gold-coated primary mirror, completing the final stage of all major spacecraft deployments to prepare for science operations.
Webb’s Mirror Now Fully Unfolded. Prepare to Witness the Power This Unprecedented Space Telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope primary mirror is now fully unfolded, which successfully completes the mission’s major deployments. The starboard side of the primary mirror was released into place today, completing a two-week long, complex deployment sequence. The mirror of the most powerful space telescope ever built is now open to prepare to “unfold the Universe.”
James Webb Space Telescope, the biggest ever built, fully unfolds giant mirror to gaze at the cosmos
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope unfolded the second "wing" of its massive primary mirror today (Jan. 8), marking the end of its complex deployment.
Weird structures near Earth's core may be scars from a primordial interplanetary collision
A collision with a Mars-size planet 4.5 billion years ago may have left a permanent impact on our planet's deep mantle.
Kazakhstan unrest not affecting Baikonur Cosmodrome spaceport, Russia says
The current chaos in Kazakhstan isn't seriously impacting the famous spaceport in the nation, Russian officials say.
The Selene V crew hit the moonwalk jackpot — Commander's report: lunar day 10
Commander Musilova describes how the Selene V crew compensated for their confinement in the habitat by doing excessive amounts of moonwalks and research activities when the weather finally cleared.
Google Doodle celebrates the life of cosmologist Stephen Hawking for his 80th birthday
The pioneering work of physicist Stephen Hawking is honored in a Google Doodle today (Jan. 8).
Astronomers Discover a Totally New Kind of Nebula
Most Universe Today readers are familiar with nebulae. They’re gaseous structures lit up with radiation from nearby stars, and they’re some of nature’s most beautiful forms.
Starlink: SpaceX's satellite internet project
Starlink is a satellite network created by private spaceflight company SpaceX.
First wing of Webb telescope’s primary mirror folds into place
Artist’s illustration of the James Webb Space Telescope’s port-side mirror segment folded into place. Credit: NASA
One of the two wings holding three of the James Webb Space Telescope’s gold-coated mirror segments folded into place Friday, setting the stage for positioning of the other wing Saturday to complete the nearly $10 billion observatory’s major deployments.
When will the sun die?
Are you worried about the sun suddenly blinking out? Never fear — our star still has billions of years left to shine.
Look up to spot the tricky planet Mercury at its 'greatest elongation' from the sun tonight
The planet Mercury, typically hard to spot for skywatchers, will be at its greatest distance from the sun in our sky Friday (Jan. 7).
Virgin Orbit lands in Times Square NYC to ring NASDAQ bell
Another kind of countdown hit New York City's Times Square Friday (Jan. 7) as a commercial spaceflight company celebrated joining the NASDAQ stock exchange.
A New Image Reveals Orion’s Flame Nebula in Infrared
The ESO has released some stunning new images of Orion’s Flame Nebula. They’re from a few years ago but are newly processed as part of the Orion cloud complex study. The images have led to discoveries in the often-observed Orion cloud complex.
James Webb Space Telescope has unfolded 1st wing of massive golden mirror
Unfolding the two side wings of the James Webb Space Telescope's golden primary mirror marks the last major task in assembling the observatory.
Watch the James Webb Space Telescope soar through space in this livestream today!
The Virtual Telescope Project's webcast begins Friday (Jan. 7) at 4:30 p.m. EST (2130 GMT).
China’s Rover Checks out that Weird Cube on the Moon. Surprise! It’s a Rock.
Back in early December 2021, China’s Yutu 2 rover made headlines when it spied what looked like a curious cube-shaped object on the Moon’s surface. Of course, speculations ran rampant. And it didn’t help matters any when the China National Space Administration (CNSA) nicknamed the object the “mystery hut.”
Astronomers discover 'Maggie,' a giant atomic cloud stretching across the Milky Way
Stretching thousands of light-years across the Milky Way, a newly discovered filament of hydrogen named Maggie is one of the biggest structures ever discovered in our galaxy.
Here’s Why Webb Doesn’t Have Cameras on Board to Livestream its Deployment
As the James Webb Space Telescope unfolds and makes its way to its final destination in space, NASA and ESA have done a great job of sharing the experience with the public. With webcasts, livestreams and a very active social media presence, the JWST team has allowed people to watch over the shoulders of engineers and scientists, as well as ask questions about the process of commissioning the new telescope.