NASA is commemorating the first year of science and discoveries from the agency’s James Webb Space Telescope, the largest, most powerful, and most complex space telescope ever built. To celebrate the anniversary, multiple events will take place online and live across the U.S.
Webb’s first full-color images were released July 12, 2022, marking the beginning of the observatory’s science mission. Since then, Webb has discovered some of the earliest galaxies ever observed, delivered the most detailed view of the atmospheres of planets outside our solar system, and captured new views of planets within our solar system.
The schedule of Webb first anniversary events is as follows (all times are Eastern):
Wednesday, July 12
- 6 a.m.: Release of a new Webb image online
- 6 a.m.: Live interview opportunities begin
- Webb mission experts will be available to conduct live, remote interviews with broadcast media, in both English and Spanish. Details about scheduling these interviews are available online. Webb experts also are available for interviews outside of this window upon request.
- 4 p.m.: NASA Science Live online
- Two Webb experts will be featured on a NASA Science Live episode, discussing how Webb has made an impact in its first year on exploring the distant universe, characterizing exoplanet atmospheres, and understanding the solar system. The show will air live on the NASA Science Live website, as well as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. Viewers of this episode can submit questions on social media using the hashtag #UnfoldtheUniverse or by leaving a comment in the chat section of the Facebook or YouTube stream.
Friday, July 14
- 1 p.m.: Webb anniversary event, Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore
- Visitors of all ages can learn about the telescope and how it studies the universe with its infrared eyes. There will be talks about Webb, a Virtual Reality experience, hands-on activities for children, and educational giveaway items.
This Summer:
- Webb anniversary community events, nationwide
- Throughout the summer, locations around the country are hosting Webb Community Events to celebrate Webb’s anniversary. These free, public events will be held at schools, libraries, museums, and other community locations in 25 states and Washington, in July, August, and Se ptember. Each event will be different, and all will highlight Webb’s science and accomplishments with information, activities, or a presentation.
The James Webb Space Telescope is the world’s premier space science observatory. Webb is solving mysteries in our solar system, looking beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probing the mysterious structures and origins of our universe and our place in it. Webb is an international program led by NASA with its partners, ESA (European Space Agency), and CSA (Canadian Space Agency).
For more information about Webb, visit:
