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ASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has produced the deepest and sharpest infrared image of the distant universe to date. Known as Webb’s First Deep Field, this image of galaxy cluster SMACS 0723 is overflowing with detail. Thousands of galaxies – including the faintest objects ever observed in the infrared – have appeared in Webb’s view for the first time. This slice of the vast universe is approximately the size of a grain of sand held at arm’s length by someone on the ground. This deep field, taken by Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam), is a composite made from images at different wavelengths, totaling 12.5 hours – achieving depths at infrared wavelengths beyond the Hubble Space Telescope’s deepest fields, which took weeks. The image shows the galaxy cluster SMACS 0723 as it appeared 4.6 billion years ago. The combined mass of this galaxy cluster acts as a gravitational lens, magnifying much more distant galaxies behind it. Webb’s NIRCam has brought those distant galaxies into sharp focus – they have tiny, faint structures that have never been seen before, including star clusters and diffuse features. Researchers will soon begin to learn more about the galaxies’ masses, ages, histories, and compositions, as Webb seeks the earliest galaxies in the universe. This image is among the telescope’s first-full color images. The full suite will be released Tuesday, July 12, beginning at 10:30 a.m. EDT, during a live NASA TV broadcast.

Starting Out in Astronomy: A Guide for Children

James Murray - June 20, 2023 0

Astronomy

The Tale of White Holes: The Cosmic Mystery

James Murray - June 19, 2023 0

The Milky Way

Journey Through the Stars: Unpacking the Mysteries of the Milky Way...

James Murray - June 12, 2023 0

Astronomers have spotted a giant 'blinking' star towards the centre of the Milky Way, more than 25,000 light years away. An international team of astronomers observed the star, VVV-WIT-08, decreasing in brightness by a factor of 30, so that it nearly disappeared from the sky. While many stars change in brightness because they pulsate or are eclipsed by another star in a binary system, it's exceptionally rare for a star to become fainter over a period of several months and then brighten again. CREDIT Amanda Smith, University of Cambridge

Astronomers spot a ‘blinking giant’ near the centre of the Galaxy

James Murray - June 13, 2021 0

Artist's impression of the four planets of the HR 8799 system and its star

Star’s death will play a mean pinball with rhythmic planets

NetNewsLedger - June 13, 2021 0

Honda-funded program uses astronomy to help preserve Lakota history and culture.

Lakota Star Knowledge Project to Increase STEM Knowledge

NetNewsLedger - March 22, 2017 0

A small asteroid will pass near Earth on Sunday

Small Asteroid Will Pass Near Earth Sunday

NNL Staff - September 6, 2014 0

An X1.0-class flare exploded off the right side of the sun, peaking at 10:03 p.m. EDT on Oct. 27, 2013. This image was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory in the 131 Angstrom wavelength, which is particularly good for showing solar flares and is typically colorized in teal. Credit: NASA/SDO

Solar Flare Activity Monitored by NASA

NNL Staff - October 29, 2013 0

Kepler

Kepler Spacecraft Science Rock Star

James Murray - April 18, 2013 0