NASA Invites Media, Public to View Webb Telescope’s First Images
NASA, in partnership with ESA (European Space Agency) and CSA (Canadian Space Agency), will release the James Webb Space Telescope’s first full-color images and spectroscopic data during a televised broadcast beginning at 10:30 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 12, from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.
Released one by one, these first images from the world’s largest and most powerful space telescope will demonstrate Webb at its full power, ready to begin its mission to unfold the infrared universe.
Each image will simultaneously be made available on social media as well as on the agency’s website at: nasa.gov/webbfirstimages
Embargoed access to Webb’s first images will not be available prior to their public release.
The following is a list of activities leading up to release (all times Eastern):
-Wednesday, June 29-
Media Day at Webb’s Mission Operations Center
NASA will host a media day at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 29. The event will include a media briefing on the status of Webb’s commissioning as well as overviews of planned science for Webb’s first year of operations and Webb image processing.
On-site attendees can tour Webb’s Mission Operations Control facilities, including the Flight Control Room, and conduct interviews with mission experts.
Media must register their interest in participating by completing this form by 3 p.m. EDT Tuesday, June 21, for in-person, and by 3 p.m. EDT Tuesday, June 28, for virtual.
NASA and STScI will soon provide further details to those who register their interest, including the full media day schedule and COVID-19 safety protocols. Due to space limitations, NASA and STScI may be unable to accommodate all requests for on-site attendance.
-Tuesday, July 12-
Image Release Day
10:30 a.m. – Live coverage of the image release broadcast will air on NASA TV, the NASA app, and the agency’s website. The public also can watch live on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Twitch, and Daily Motion.
12 p.m. – Following the live broadcast, NASA and its partners will hold a joint media briefing at NASA Goddard. The briefing will livestream on NASA TV, the NASA app, and the agency’s website. The list of media briefing participants is forthcoming, and this advisory will be updated with details later.
Media interested in participating in-person must complete this form by 3 p.m. EDT Tuesday, June 21.
3 p.m. – Live Interview Opportunities: From approximately 3 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12, and 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 13, Webb mission experts will be available to conduct live, remote interviews with broadcast media. Experts will be available to conduct interviews in both English and Spanish. More details about scheduling these interviews will be made available closer to the date. Members of the media seeking interviews outside of these windows should complete this media interview request form.
NASA’s media accreditation policy for on-site and virtual activities is available online. The agency will soon provide further details to those who register their interest, including COVID-19 safety protocols. Due to space limitations, NASA may be unable to accommodate all requests for on-site attendance. Media and members of the public may ask questions on social media using #UnfoldtheUniverse.
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