Here is a list of some of the top discoveries from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
- Deeper and sharper infrared image of the distant universe to date: JWST's First Deep Field image shows galaxies that existed just 300 million years after the Big Bang. This image provides a glimpse into the early universe that has never been seen before.
- Discovery of the most distant galaxy ever seen: JWST has detected a galaxy that existed just 325 million years after the Big Bang. This galaxy, named GN-z11, is the most distant galaxy ever seen and breaks the previous record for the most distant galaxy by over 100 million years.
- Detection of water vapor in the atmosphere of a distant exoplanet: JWST has detected water vapor in the atmosphere of WASP-96 b, an exoplanet that is over 1,100 light-years from Earth. This is the first time that water vapor has been detected in the atmosphere of an exoplanet outside of our solar system.
- Detection of carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere of an exoplanet: JWST has detected carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere of K2-18 b, an exoplanet that is about 100 light-years from Earth. These detections provide evidence that K2-18 b could be a habitable planet.
- New images of the exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 c: JWST has captured new images of the exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 c, which is one of seven Earth-sized exoplanets orbiting a nearby star. These images show that TRAPPIST-1 c has a thick atmosphere and is likely to be too hot to support life as we know it.
- Discovery of a new moon around Jupiter: JWST has discovered a new moon orbiting Jupiter. This moon is the smallest known moon of Jupiter and is about the size of a football field.
- Detection of water vapor on the moon Ganymede: JWST has detected water vapor in the atmosphere of Ganymede, the largest moon of Jupiter. This is the first time that water vapor has been detected in the atmosphere of Ganymede.
- New images of Saturn's rings: JWST has captured new images of Saturn's rings that reveal unprecedented detail. These images show new features in the rings, such as narrow ringlets and spiral patterns.
- Detailed images of the Pillars of Creation: JWST has captured new images of the Pillars of Creation, a star-forming region in the Eagle Nebula. These images show unprecedented detail of the pillars and the stars that are forming within them.
- New images of the Carina Nebula: JWST has captured new images of the Carina Nebula, one of the largest and brightest nebulae in the sky. These images show unprecedented detail of the nebula and the stars that are forming within it.
- New images of Stephan's Quintet: JWST has captured new images of Stephan's Quintet, a group of five galaxies that are interacting with each other. These images show unprecedented detail of the galaxies and the interactions between them.
- New images of the Southern Ring Nebula: JWST has captured new images of the Southern Ring Nebula, a planetary nebula that is formed from the ejected gas and dust of a dying star. These images show unprecedented detail of the nebula and the dying star at its center.