James Webb Space Telescope: NASA's telescope captures unseen universe

After nearly three decades of troubled development and $10 billion in spending, a pulse-pounding launch on Christmas Day in 2021 and a nail-biting half-year of delicate preparations in deep space, the James Webb Space Telescope has captured some amazing pictures of the unseen universe.

James Webb Space Telescope: NASA's telescope captures unseen universe

NASA released new full-colour images taken from James Webb Space Telescope, the world's most powerful space telescope. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Webb ERO Production Team/Handout via Reuters

It released images of Southern Ring planetary nebula, showing a dying star cloaked by dust and layers of light. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Webb ERO Production Team/Handout via Reuters

Another image shows Stephan's Quintet, a visual grouping of five galaxies. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Webb ERO Production Team/Handout via Reuters

An image revealing baby stars in Carina Nebula was also released. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Webb ERO Production Team/Handout via Reuters

It took nearly three decades and $10 billion for the telescope to deliver a complete set of the first full-colour images unseen universe. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Webb ERO Production Team/Handout via Reuters

President Joe Biden himself offered a sneak preview from the White House, revealing what is destined to be the most iconic picture from the set. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Webb ERO Production Team/Handout via Reuters

Even before today’s official images were released, earlier pictures taken to guide Webb’s complex deep-space commissioning hinted at the observatory’s stunning capabilities. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Webb ERO Production Team/Handout via Reuters