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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?

12 November 2009: Dr. John Mather tells the story of the Universe and talks about everything from the Big Bang, the Nobel Prize, JWST and Life Beyond Earth Check out the website with the video!

21 October 2009: The NASA Blueshift podcast asked their own questions of Dr. John Mather. He gave a behind-the-scenes look at the Nobel Prize experience in this award show spoof episode! Visit the Blueshift site and listen to the podcast!

21 October 2009: Want to ask a Nobel Laureate a question? You can do so via YouTube! Our own Dr. John Mather is participating. You can find out more details about how to ask your question via this YouTube link. (The deadline is October 30th.) Find out how to participate!

20 October 2009: NIRSpec Instrument Engineering Test Unit Model Is Completed Read the spacedaily.com article.

1 October 2009: NASA's New Views of the Universe Exhibit Travels to the Ocean Explorium. Read the press release.

23 September 2009: Dr. John Mather (Nobel laureate and senior project scientist) is giving a public lecture in Washington, DC at the Koshland Science Museum, Oct. 8th. For more information and for tickets, call (202) 334-1201, or visit the museums's website.

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