The James Webb Space Telescope is a NASA-led space observatory and an active mission serving thousands of astronomers worldwide. Launched on December 25, 2021, Webb orbits the Sun about 1.5 million kilometers (1 million miles) from Earth, rather than orbiting Earth like the Hubble Space Telescope. Its mission is to investigate every phase in the history of the universe, from the first luminous glows after the Big Bang to the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars, planetary systems, and worlds that may support life.

Webb’s website provides mission news, images, videos, blogs, podcasts, and educational materials, alongside detailed explanations of its science and engineering. Visitors can explore the observatory’s mirrors, sunshield, instruments, deployment, orbit, and spacecraft systems, as well as interactive and three-dimensional resources. The site also offers information for scientists, educators, students, media, and the wider public, including Webb’s observing activities, image sonifications, and learning resources. Together, these resources share the telescope’s discoveries and explain how its observations advance understanding of the cosmos.