Webb telescope reveals early universe

This was lift-off for the James Webb telescope in December 2021. It's now arrived at its final location - 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. It's providing the clearest ever images of the universe.

Its first image includes light from 13 billion years ago. The universe is 13.8 billion years old. So the image shows us some of the first galaxies.

The telescope's cost $10 billion to produce. This makes it the most expensive instrument in space. It has a primary mirror which measures 6.5 metres across. This is made from 18 gold covered hexagons.

Its infrared cameras can look further than ever before. Infrared cameras give more detailed images because light becomes more infrared over time.

Only a minute area of the universe is in this amazing image. It's the same as looking at a grain of sand on your finger.

The detailed images are exciting astronomers around the world. Another gives an amazing view of a dying star.

NASA Live: "We are ready to see Webb's first image of a star dying. A planetary nebula called the Southern Ring - wow."

Data from the telescope's offering exciting new discoveries too. It's found water in the atmosphere of a gas giant planet, which it studied from 1,150 light years away. This technique could help to find life on other planets.

Scientists and astronomers in many locations will use the telescope for experiments. They'll build on research from Spitzer and Hubble telescopes. This will develop our understanding of the universe.

NASA Live: "The last image is, wow! Look at that."

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