6 stunning images taken during James Webb's first year in space

It's been one year since the launch of the JWST, and the images it has sent back are nothing short of stellar.

By Monica Cull | Published: Tuesday, December 27, 2022

RELATED TOPICS: JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE

NASA, ESA, CSA, Jupiter ERS Team; image processing by Ricardo Hueso (UPV/EHU) and Judy Schmidt

It's been one year since the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) launched and began its cosmic journey. The JWST will complement the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope, helping astronomers peer back to the early universe to study the formation of the first stars and galaxies.

On July 11, 2022, the first teaser image from the JWST was released, followed by three other captivating images on July 12. Throughout the year, NASA has released several other cosmic photos. Here are some of the top JWST images of 2022.

1. Galaxy Cluster SMACS 0723

NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScl

The first JWST image that NASA released is the deepest infrared image of the universe to date. JWST captured swirls of distant stars and planets and the bright bursts of far-off galaxies. According to NASA, the image covers a 'patch of sky approximately the size of a grain of sand held at arm's length by someone on the ground.'

This image shows what Galaxy Cluster SMACS 0723 looked like 4.6 billion years ago. There are far more galaxy clusters behind the ones in the image that have yet to be discovered.

2. Carina Nebula

NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI

Another one of the first JWST released, the Carina Nebula, is often compared to a craggy mountain range. According to NASA, the tallest 'peak' in the image is actually seven light-years high.

3. Pillars of Creation

NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI; J. DePasquale, A. Koekemoer, A. Pagan (STScI)

Located approximately 7,000 light-years away from Earth, the JWST captured a stunning image of the Pillars of Creation, which the Hubble Space Telescope first saw.

4. Tarantula Nebula

NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Webb ERO Production Team

Residing 161,000 light-years away from Earth, the Tarantula Nebula is home to never-before-seen young stars. Using its high-resolution infrared camera, scientists could capture stellar images of the nebula and far-off background galaxies.

5. Phantom Galaxy

NASA/ESA/CSA/Judy Schmidt

The Phantom Galaxy (NGC 628 or Messier 74) forms what appears to be a near-perfect spiral. The galaxy is about 32 million light-years away from Earth and is in the constellation Pisces the Fish.

6. Jupiter

NASA, ESA, CSA, Jupiter ERS Team; image processing by Ricardo Hueso (UPV/EHU) and Judy Schmidt

Thanks to the JWST, Earthlings could catch a better glimpse of Jupiter. This stunning image clearly depicts the aurorae at the planet's poles, the faint rings that circle the gas giant, and even a few of the world's smaller moons.

The six images above are far from the only notable observations taken by JWST during its first year in space. And over the years — or decades — that follow, NASA's newest workhorse is sure to release thousands more spectacular shots. So stayed tuned, because the James Webb Space Telescope is just getting into the groove.