As a wise man once wrote, “space is big. You just won’t believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is”.
That’s never been more evident than now, with the first images released from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope in partnership with the Canadian and European Space Agencies.
The breathtaking pictures – available online – offer views of the distant reaches of our observable universe, including the stellar nursery in the Carina Nebula (above) and the galaxy cluster known as SMACS 0723 (below).
According to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, this view of the cosmos is unlike any ever seen before, even with the Hubble Space Telescope.
“These images, including the deepest infrared view of our universe that has ever been taken, show us how Webb will help to uncover the answers to questions we don’t even yet know to ask; questions that will help us better understand our universe and humanity’s place within it.
“The Webb team’s incredible success is a reflection of what NASA does best. We take dreams and turn them into reality for the benefit of humanity. I can’t wait to see the discoveries that we uncover – the team is just getting started,” he said.
Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, has celebrated 
what he calls a “singular and historic moment”.
“It took decades of drive and perseverance to get us here, and I am immensely proud of the Webb team.
“These first images show us how much we can accomplish when we come together behind a shared goal, to solve the cosmic mysteries that connect us all. It’s a stunning glimpse of the insights yet to come,” he said.
And if you’re wanting to feel especially insignificant, do you see all these galaxies in the SMACS 0723 picture, with their countless stars and planets?
They’re in a region of the night sky about the size of a grain of sand, held at arm’s length.
