Webb Telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope, or Webb for short, is due to launch into space by the end of 2021. It will be the most complex telescope ever flown. It will travel a million miles from Earth, unfold to the size of a tennis-court, and detect invisible light
Learn more about how Webb works and what it has been built to discover:
JWST completed testing in August 2021 and is preparing to journey to the launch site
Prof. Gillian Wright and Prof. Jim Dunlop appeared in June 2021 on the Great British Lift Off podcast to talk about JWST and how it will unlock exciting new science, studying the origins of galaxies, stars, and planets
We have led the development of one of the four instruments on-board Webb. This instrument is called “MIRI”. It stands for Mid-InfraRed Instrument. Hear from some of the Royal Observatory staff involved in designing and building MIRI:
MIRI
MIRI will allow scientists to study the universe at mid-infrared wavelengths through imaging, spectroscopy, and coronagraphy. Watch the videos below for an animated fly-through of the MIRI instrument, showing off MIRI's intricate design for directing incoming light to the imaging and spectroscopy modules.
Light moving through MIRI in Imaging/Coronagraphy mode. Visit the ESA Information page to learn more about what you see in this video
Light moving through MIRI in Spectroscopy mode. Visit the ESA Information page to learn more about what you see in this video
To find out more about the UK’s contribution to the Webb Telescope, visit jwst.org.uk To meet more Webb experts visit jwst.org.uk/people/
Family Friendly Activities
Get creative and explore with these fun at-home activities for all the family
See Webb in AR!
See Webb up close with the augmented reality app from STScI
For more Webb activities for schools, see jwst.org.uk/resources-network/