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There are many sources for Webb telescope imagery and videos online. If you can't find what you're looking for here, please try these other resources.
Images
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Webb mirror segment
One of the 18 hexagonal segments that make up Webb's mirror. The segment is coated in a microscopically thin layer of gold to best reflect infrared light. Credit: Photo by Drew Noel
Print use (download to your computer)
- JPG (1.00 MB)
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Webb's mirror segments
Webb's mirror will consist of 18 of these segments, which will be folded up inside the rocket that launches Webb into orbit. The mirror will unfold and be adjusted in space.
Print use (download to your computer)
- JPG (9.38 MB)
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Inspecting the mirror segments
A Ball Aerospace optical test engineer inspects six primary mirror segments prior to cryogenic testing in the X-ray & Cryogenic Facility at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. Credit: NASA/MSFC/David Higginbotham
Print use (download to your computer)
- JPG (9.56 MB)
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An Ariane 5 rocket launch
An Ariane rocket, similar to the one shown here, will be used to carry the Webb telescope into space. This image was taken on Dec. 8, 2006. Credit: ESA/CNES/ARIANESPACE – Activite Photo Optique Video CSG
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Front view of the Webb telescope
Artist's depiction of the Webb telescope, viewed from the front, showing the primary mirror, secondary mirror, and sunshield.
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Full-scale model of the Webb telescope
A full-scale model of the Webb telescope.
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Full-scale model of the Webb telescope
A full-scale model of the Webb telescope, seen from the side.
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Webb telescope with Moon, Earth, and Sun in the background
Artist's depiction of the Webb telescope in space, side view, with the Moon, Earth, and Sun in the background. The red beams indicate incoming infrared light.
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The Webb telescope
Artist's depiction of the Webb telescope from a bottom angle. Reddish beams indicate incoming infrared light.
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The Webb telescope, front view
An artist's depiction of the Webb telescope, as seen from the front, with the Moon, Earth and Sun in the background. Red beams indicate infrared light being captured by the primary mirror.
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Side view of the Webb telescope
The Webb telescope floats against a background of stars in this artist's depiction of the side view.
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Webb telescope view from underneath
The Webb telescope floats against a background of stars in this artist's depiction of a view from underneath, showing the spacecraft bus, Earth-pointing antenna, and momentum trim flap.
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Members of the Webb team pose with the full-scale model
Members of the Webb team at Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland pose in front of the full-scale Webb telescope model.
Videos
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Seeing Beyond: James Webb Space Telescope
The Webb Space Telescope will be Hubble's successor. This video, narrated by "Deep Astronomy" host Tony Darnell, draws the line between Hubble and Webb, explaining how one will build on and continue the work of the other. Users can watch the video, or download the unnarrated support material to obtain images and information for their own talks.
Support Material
- PowerPoint ZIP (424.93 MB)
- Keynote ZIP (0.984 GB)
Videos
- Small WMV (40.53 MB)
- Large WMV (83.48 MB)
- HQ WMV (253.72 MB)
- Small Xvid AVI (77.82 MB)
- Large Xvid AVI (200.99 MB)
- HQ Xvid AVI (408.91 MB)
- Small MP4 (75.93 MB)
- Large MP4 (118.75 MB)
- HQ MP4 (428.33 MB)
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Webb telescope full deployment sequence, 2014
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, the most powerful infrared science observatory ever to be sent into space. From its orbit nearly a million miles from Earth, Webb will study some of the most distant objects in the universe -- but first it has to get there. Webb will be folded up inside the rocket that launches it into space, gradually unfurling as it travels to its destination beyond the Moon. This video depicts Webb's journey into orbit, capturing both its travel time and distance and its transformation as it deploys. Credit: Northrop Grumman
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Webb telescope full deployment sequence, 2014 (2X speed)
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, the most powerful infrared science observatory ever to be sent into space. From its orbit nearly a million miles from Earth, Webb will study some of the most distant objects in the universe -- but first it has to get there. Webb will be folded up inside the rocket that launches it into space, gradually unfurling as it travels to its destination beyond the Moon. This video depicts Webb's journey into orbit, capturing both its travel time and distance and its transformation as it deploys. Credit: Northrop Grumman
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Behind the Breaking of a Guinness Record: Behind the Webb SXSW Special Edition
At this year's South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, the Guinness World Record for the largest outdoor astronomy class was broken. Capturing the tension and excitement leading up to the event, this video also shows what it takes to break a world record.
Videos
- Small WMV (12.30 MB)
- Large WMV (31.71 MB)
- HQ WMV (114.20 MB)
- Small Xvid AVI (48.34 MB)
- Large Xvid AVI (35.03 MB)
- HQ Xvid AVI (100.77 MB)
- Small MP4 (11.78 MB)
- Large MP4 (32.49 MB)
- HQ MP4 (120.02 MB)
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Mission Update: Mirror Odyssey
The Webb Space Telescope�s giant primary mirror, arguably its most critical and difficult part, is approaching completion. The 18-segment mirror stands two stories high and is designed to best capture the infrared light Webb seeks. Follow the mirror�s journey from rough ore to precisely reflective, gold-coated segments in this video, which details how the mirrors are constructed and tested.
Videos
- Small WMV (7.65 MB)
- Large WMV (18.82 MB)
- HQ WMV (67.51 MB)
- Small Xvid AVI (33.86 MB)
- Large Xvid AVI (34.35 MB)
- HQ Xvid AVI (66.06 MB)
- Small MP4 (7.67 MB)
- Large MP4 (21.10 MB)
- HQ MP4 (77.83 MB)
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Narrated Webb telescope deployment animation
This animated video from 2010 follows the deployment of the Webb telescope as takes its place in orbit. A narrator takes the audience step by step through the stages of the telescope�s deployment, including the expansion of the sunshield and the unfolding of the mirror. Credit: Space Telescope Science Institute; Northrop Grumman Space Technologies.
Videos
- Small WMV (6.09 MB)
- Large WMV (15.72 MB)
- HQ WMV (57.44 MB)
- Small Xvid AVI (16.21 MB)
- Large Xvid AVI (47.73 MB)
- HQ Xvid AVI (50.68 MB)
- Small MP4 (5.92 MB)
- Large MP4 (16.32 MB)
- HQ MP4 (60.26 MB)
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Webb telescope deployment
This video shows the Webb telescope deploying in space, including the expansion of the sunshield and the unfolding of the mirror.
Videos
- Small Quicktime (2.16 MB)
- Large Quicktime (4.24 MB)
- HQ Quicktime (15.70 MB)
- Small WMV (2.49 MB)
- Large WMV (4.96 MB)
- HQ WMV (14.96 MB)
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Webb stowed for launch
This video illustrates how Webb will be compacted to fit inside the Ariane rocket. First, we see an image of the fully extended Webb overlaid with an image of the rocket, illustrating the problem. The sunshield then vanishes to give a better view of Webb's core and folding mirror. In the last scenes, we see the sunshield folded up against Webb's core for the journey.
Videos
- Small Quicktime (4.75 MB)
- Large Quicktime (17.11 MB)
- Small WMV (2.98 MB)
- Large WMV (9.35 MB)
Printable Products
Excited about Webb? Spread the word! PDFs include a detailed overview of the Webb telescope and mini-posters that explore its science targets and cutting-edge capabilities.
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Webb Science Guide
This 60-page booklet describes Webb's purpose, scientific goals and technology in detail.
On-screen viewing
- Large (78.3 kB)
Print use (download to your computer)
- PDF (Low Resolution) (9.82 MB)
- PDF (High Resolution) (111.80 MB)
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A Vision for Tomorrow
This two-page handout gives the basic facts about Webb, its purpose, and its technology.
On-screen viewing
- Large (55.5 kB)
Print use (download to your computer)
- PDF (High Resolution) (1.71 MB)
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Lift the Curtain
Webb's vision will penetrate dust, revealing hidden objects within.
On-screen viewing
- Large (176.7 kB)
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Give Them the Answers
Inspire kids with the solutions to some of our most pressing cosmic mysteries.
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Not Like the Others
Webb will search for water vapor, helping to find life-sustaining planets beyond our solar system.
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With the Right Tool
Webb is carefully designed to pry open some of astronomy's greatest mysteries.
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See the Lights Turn On
Webb's infrared-detecting abilities will allow it to see the universe's first galaxies.
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Coming Into Focus
Webb's masterfully engineered giant mirror is just part of the telescope's advanced technology.
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Through the Looking-Glass
Webb's giant mirror is an engineering marvel that caps the telescope's cutting-edge technology.
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No Place Like Home?
Only Webb will be capable of searching planets around other stars for water vapor.