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The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a large, infrared-optimized space telescope, scheduled for launch in 2014. JWST will find the first galaxies that formed in the early Universe, connecting the Big Bang to our own Milky Way Galaxy. JWST will peer through dusty clouds to see stars forming planetary systems, connecting the Milky Way to our own Solar System. JWST's instruments will be designed to work primarily in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum, with some capability in the visible range.

JWST will have a large mirror, 6.5 meters (21.3 feet) in diameter and a sunshield the size of a tennis court. Both the mirror and sunshade won't fit onto the rocket fully open, so both will fold up and open once JWST is in outer space. JWST will reside in an orbit about 1.5 million km (1 million miles) from the Earth.

The James Webb Space Telescope was named after a former NASA Administrator.

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WHAT'S NEW?

2 February 2010: There is a new news release out on the successful design review for Webb Telescope's sunshield. Read the release!

31 January 2010: The NASA Blueshift podcast just had an episode about what it's like to attend a professional astronomy meeting. In the podcast they talk to Webb Telescope scientist Massimo Stiavelli from Space Telescope Science Institute! Listen to the podcast!

21 January 2010: The "New Views of the Universe" Hubble/Webb exhibit will be coming soon to Science Central in Ft. Wayne Indiana. The exhibit will be open to the public for seven months from Saturday, January 30 through August 30, 2010. See the press release for more information on the exhibit.

19 January 2010: CNN just reported on the Webb's first primary mirror segment meeting flight specs! Read the article!

12 January 2010: We've added two Powerpoint presentations from the JWST Town Hall at the recent American Astronomical Society meeting. They both give a great update on the state of the various telescope components. One is an overview and one is on the mirrors. Check out the presentations!

12 January 2010: There's a new "Behind the Webb" video out called "Jack of All Sunshields! Check out the video!

07 January 2010: Mirror Testing at NASA Breaks Superstitious Myths Check out the news release!

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