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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 13h

The science team studied the mineralogical makeup of the disks. They found that their sample could be categorized into silica-rich and silica-poor disks. (5/6)

Graphic titled Extreme Debris Disks, Composition Across Time showing a plot and corresponding timeline of the solar system. The plot’s y-axis is labeled Silica with an up arrow labeled rich and a down arrow labeled poor. X-axis is labeled Age (millions of years) and starts with 1 at the left and increases by factors of ten, ending with 1000 at right. A key at right has 3 symbols: black dot is Silica-rich disk, purple is Silica-poor disk, and orange is Protoplanetary disk. All 27 orange dots are within the first 10 million years and range in silica composition. The 8 black and 13 purple dots begin to appear around 10 million. The black dots stop around 100 million. The purple dots continue right. The timeline below has the same labels as the plot’s x-axis. A gray band before 100 marks the Moon-forming impact. A gray band before 1000 marks the Late heavy bombardment. 3 blue bands stretch from left to right: Giant planet formation, Terrestrial planet formation, and Giant planet migration/orbital instability.

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 13h

Astronomers confirmed that extreme debris disks share three key properties: smaller dust grains than those in protoplanetary or classic debris disks, a high concentration of warm dust, and irregular brightness variations, all revealed by mid-infrared spectra. (4/6)

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 13h

Rare extreme debris disks harbor unusually large amounts of warm dust close to the star, in the region comparable to where rocky planets orbit in our solar system. (3/6)

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 13h

The environment surrounding a star changes as it ages, beginning with a juvenile, gas-rich protoplanetary disk where forming planets can reside, before evolving to a gas-poor debris disk. (2/6)

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 13h

#NASAWebb has provided a crash course on planet-shattering collisions, providing clues to the amount of energy in their collisions. (1/6) 🧵 🔭 🧪

Artist’s concept of a star and its debris disk against the black background of space. The star is in the background, right of center, and depicted as a small, luminous sphere. The debris disk is a large blue ring that encircles the star. The debris disk is angled toward the viewer, so that the portion nearest to the viewer extends beyond the bottom frame of the illustration. Many dark, rocky fragments are scattered throughout the debris disk. In the foreground, toward the left, is a small planetary embryo colliding into the left side of a larger spherical object. The impact site glows bright yellow and orange and has a mottled appearance, as though chunks of both colliding bodies are breaking up and being destroyed. Orange-yellow streams of vapor extend outward from the collision area. Behind the debris disk and its star are many small stars in the background. A label in the bottom right corner reads “Artist’s Concept.”

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 17h

#NASAWebb data is helping scientists identify the types of collisions—high or lower energy—occurring between Moon- and Mars-sized objects in young stellar environments. Our solar system is thought to have undergone similar events to form the Moon: news.stsci.edu/47mLryB

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 30/09/2026

#NASARoman’s fine-guidance system, which allows the observatory to lock very steadily onto its targets during observations, passed a spate of tests from Sept. 15 to 21. Then on Sept. 22, the mission’s Coronagraph Instrument opened its eyes to cosmic light for the very first time.

science.nasa.gov

NASA Checks Roman Guidance System, Takes First Coronagraph Observation - NASA Science

NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope's fine-guidance system, which allows the observatory to lock very steadily onto its targets during observations,

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 30/09/2026

ICYMI: Over the summer #NASAWebb discovered a new exoplanet in the Beta Pictoris system, using a new method. Catch up on more news you may have missed on ViewSpace: viewspace.org/video_library?tags=16…

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 29/09/2026

Astronomers theorize that the black hole at the center of Centaurus A influences the region as it feeds and launches powerful outflows. Learn more about the impact of its central black hole with a printable poster of this observation from #NASAWebb: go.nasa.gov/4hwsDlf

A horizontally oriented poster with an image of Centaurus A against a black background. The galaxy is brightest at its center, where a brilliant white and pink glow radiates outward. Wispy, ‘S’-shaped ribbons of pink arc above and below the center of the image. A parallelogram-shaped band of gray and white dust cuts across the middle of the galaxy. The galaxy’s outer edges fade into soft textures that stretch toward the left and right sides of the image. Along the bottom is a series of thin vertical bars ranging from purple at left to blue, green, yellow, orange, and red at right. Bars are separated slightly, with black in between. Bar colors are brightest at the bottom, fading up to black. Brightness varies from bar to bar, giving the array an undulating feel. At upper right is text that reads, “National Aeronautics and Space Administration” and NASA’s blue, white, and red meatball insignia. Title text appears at lower left that says, “James Webb Space Telescope: Centaurus A.”

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 28/09/2026

The Hubble Cycle 34 science program is set and scheduled to begin November 1! Researchers around the world were awarded more than 2,700 prime orbits—and 31% will lead a Hubble observation for the first time: bit.ly/4xL4Ioj

Large text, Hubble Cycle 34 Approved Proposals, runs atop an image of space with the Hubble Space Telescope body at lower right.

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 28/09/2026

#NASAWebb observed galaxy Messier 51 to uncover how star clusters form. This close-up of one of its spiral arms reveals white star clusters among red and orange gas clumps. Credit: ESA, NASA, CSA, A. Pedrini, A. Adamo (Stockholm University), FEAST JWST team.

A large, long portion of one of the spiral arms in spiral galaxy Messier 51. Red-orange, clumpy filaments of gas and dust stretch in a chain from left to right to comprise the arm. Shining cyan bubbles light up parts of the gas clouds from within, and gaps expose bright star clusters in these bubbles as glowing white dots. The whole image is dotted with small, point-like stars. A faint blue glow around the arm illuminates the otherwise dark background.

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 25/09/2026

Astronomers estimate that there are 500,000 stars within this #NASAWebb image of Sagittarius C. One of the most densely packed areas lies within the dark, U-shaped region at the top left of the cyan-colored cloud of ionized hydrogen: bit.ly/4zeme64

A funnel-shaped region of space appears darker than its surroundings with fewer stars. It is wider at the top edge of the image, narrowing toward the bottom. At the bottom, a small clump of red and white appears to shoot out streamers upward and left. A large, bright, cyan-colored area surrounds the lower portion of the funnel-shaped dark area, forming a rough U shape. The cyan-colored area has needle-like, linear structures and becomes more diffuse in the center. The right side is dominated by clouds of orange and red, with a purple haze. There are thousands of pinpoints of light, a multitude of stars, throughout the view.

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Reposted by Space Telescope Science Institute

Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 23/09/2026

One of the most transformational telescopes of modern time has reached another major milestone—200,000 orbits around Earth. Hubble’s observation from that day is a part of its defining legacy, measuring the expansion rate of the universe: go.nasa.gov/4h812b9 🔭

Dozens of galaxies on the black background of space observed by Hubble. Most of the galaxies are small white splotches. Some galaxies are more oval shaped, others are circular. Toward the center-left is a larger, fuzzy white oval.

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 23/09/2026

OPPORTUNITY: The Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, MD, is seeking a Principal AWS Cloud Cybersecurity Automation & Systems (CACS) Engineer to join our team supporting NASA flagship space telescope missions that are transforming our understanding of the universe: bit.ly/4hajDmP

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 23/09/2026

NASA: Adopt a pixel from one of the Roman Space Telescope’s first images! Each pixel will represent a unique piece of the cosmos. Join over 500,000 others that have already claimed theirs: go.nasa.gov/3V4t2E0

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 23/09/2026

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Reposted by Space Telescope Science Institute

Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 22/09/2026

Planets beyond our Solar System are extremely difficult to observe. It’s equivalent to trying to take a photograph of a firefly next to a lighthouse from thousands of miles away. TONIGHT at 7 p.m. ET, STScI's Dr. Emily Rickman will chat about the Webb technology behind imaging alien worlds. 🔭

youtube.com

How to Image Alien Worlds

Planets beyond our Solar System, known as exoplanets, are extremely difficult to observe. It's equivalent to trying to take a photograph of a firefly next to a lighthouse from thousands of miles away. The James Webb Space Telescope includes sophisticat...

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 22/09/2026

youtube.com

How to Image Alien Worlds

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 22/09/2026

When two galaxies meet a “fireworks” show of star formation can occur. When #NASAWebb peered at starburst galaxy Messier 82 in infrared light, it pierced through dust to reveal hot galactic wind extending from the core where millions of stars are being born. Credit: STScI.

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 21/09/2026

It’s not everyday (but more often than most might think) that a NASA astronaut walks through our doors. The most recent: Baltimore-native Reid Wiseman, commander of NASA’s Artemis II mission! Last week, he stopped by to hear about NASA's flagship astrophysics missions. Credit: NASA/STScI

A person in a blue jacket is shaking hands with another person behind a row of computer stations in a NASA flight control room. Several monitors and control equipment are visible. NASA logos are displayed on the wall. Another individual is standing nearby holding a document.

A group of people are standing outside a large glass window, observing a mission control room with multiple screens displaying data and images. One person is pointing towards the room. The workspace is busy and well-lit, indicating activity.

Two individuals are in conversation inside the Mission Operations Control Center. One wears a blue jacket, with NASA logos visible on the back. They are standing near a model of the James Webb Space Telescope. Large windows reveal an outdoor view.

Group of people smiling, with one person taking a selfie in the foreground. A person in a NASA jacket stands prominently. Background includes a screen showing a countdown and bright windows.

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 18/09/2026

Baltimore City Public Schools alumni carry a universe-sized impact. 🪐 Decades before contemporary engineers took the reins to operate cutting-edge observatories, City Schools trailblazers were pioneering technologies and shaping NASA's most critical missions.

baltimorecityschools.org

The Only Limit for City Schools Students Is the Stars: How Baltimore City Public Schools Alumni Are Shaping the Universe

Baltimore City Public Schools alumni carry a universe-sized impact. Decades before contemporary eng...

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 18/09/2026

Scientists call this region the Extreme Outer Galaxy due to its location at the edge of our Milky Way. It contains two massive molecular clouds from which clusters of stars are actively forming, as captured in this #NASAWebb image: bit.ly/4fRIdZ4

A star-forming region. At center right is a compact star cluster composed of luminous red, blue, and white points of light. Faint jets with clumpy, diffuse material extend in various directions from the bright cluster. Above and to the right is a smaller cluster of stars. Translucent red wisps of material stretch across the scene. Background galaxies are scattered across this swath of space, appearing as small blue-white and orange-white dots or fuzzy, thin disks.

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 17/09/2026

STScI scientists are members of the collaboration that has been awarded the 2027 Berkeley Prize for their work with the UNCOVER project. This #NASAWebb program revealed “little red dots” are dusty black holes in the early universe: news.stsci.edu/4Ah7P9Y

A crowded galaxy field on a black background, with one large star dominating just right of center. Three areas are concentrated with larger white hazy blobs on the left, lower right, and upper right above the single star. Scattered between these areas are many smaller sources of light; some also have a hazy white glow, while many others are red or orange. Even without zooming in, different galaxy shapes are detectable, like spirals, ovals, and arcs.

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Reposted by Space Telescope Science Institute

Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 15/09/2026

This starry view of the nearby star-forming region IC 348 sits just 1,000 light-years away in the constellation Perseus. Cold clouds of molecular hydrogen gas collapse to form new stars, creating glowing, sculpted scenes like this one. (1/5) 🧵 🔭

A star-forming region. The left two thirds is blanketed in thick clouds of green and yellow gas and dust that form swirling patterns. Some of the gas is spread into thin, thread-like wisps. The right third shows a black background speckled with stars and multi-colored dots that are distant galaxies. Bright stars are scattered throughout the clouds, with the densest cluster situated in the center. Each is crowned with six long spikes and two shorter spikes created by the optics of the telescope’s mirrors. In the upper right, a couple of hidden stars blast out long, glowing jets of material that glow in blue.

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Reposted by Space Telescope Science Institute

Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 16/09/2026

Hubble has observed many Messier catalog items over 35+ years, including the Orion Nebula, the Omega Nebula, globular star cluster Messier 75, and galaxy Messier 109. Scroll through Hubble’s Messier images, and find your favorite: go.nasa.gov/3Ui2kHl 🔭

Messier 42: A vibrant and colorful image of the Orion Nebula, showcasing swirling clouds of gas and dust in hues of purple, pink, and orange, dotted with bright stars. The nebula is set against a dark cosmic background.

Messier 17: The Omega Nebula features a dense field of stars and interstellar dust clouds. The image showcases vibrant blues, with bright stars scattered throughout the nebula.

Messier 75: A densely packed star cluster, known as Messier 75 (M75), fills the image. The center radiates brightly with numerous stars, surrounded by a halo of smaller, glimmering stars. The background is black.

Messier 109: A large spiral galaxy with a bright core surrounded by swirling dust and stars. The image depicts various shades of blue, illustrating large dust lanes and bright groups of stars.

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Reposted by Space Telescope Science Institute

Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 15/09/2026

#NASARoman activated the Wide Field Instrument—a 300-megapixel infrared camera that will allow it to explore wide swaths of the cosmos quickly. This test image captures the very first photons of starlight to reach the instrument—taken as an initial performance assessment: go.nasa.gov/4rg4qEc

$At the top, a grid of 21 panels shows a series of blue images with tiny neon green and yellow circles. A larger image highlights a section of the grid with circular patterns, and an inset presents a detailed star-like diffraction pattern. The colors consist of blue, green, and yellow.$

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 16/09/2026

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 15/09/2026

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 15/09/2026

What’s still not clear, and what researchers hoped to learn by using Webb’s sensitive instruments to study IC 348, is how small the smallest objects created by the star-formation process are. In other words, how small is the smallest brown dwarf? (5/5) 🔭

science.nasa.gov

NASA’s Webb Reveals Dynamic Panorama of Star Formation - NASA Science

This starry view of the nearby star-forming region IC 348 is one of the largest images released to date from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. Using Webb,

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 15/09/2026

This collage features a collection of insets Webb’s image of star-forming region IC 348: embedded stars, a central star cluster, faint outflows, Herbig-Haro objects, gravitational lensing, and spiral galaxies. (4/5)

A collage, with three large panels along the top and four smaller ones on the bottom. The middle panel on top shows star-forming region IC 348, which has a blanket of thick clouds of yellow and green dust blanketing most of the image. Six boxes are drawn around features in the region, numbered 1–6. The other six panels are numbered and show these features enlarged. They include bright stars throughout the nebula, protostars shooting jets of gas, a distant spiral galaxy, and a gravitational lens.

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 15/09/2026

Using #NASAWebb, astronomers searched IC 348 for brown dwarfs, which are less massive than the smallest stars. The researchers discovered brown dwarfs just twice the mass of Jupiter. (3/5)

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 15/09/2026

The star-formation process can create widely varied objects, from massive stars that expire after only a few million years in core-collapse supernova explosions to the smallest and most common stars, which are long lived and produce powerful stellar storms. (2/5)

$A colorful view of a star-forming region, with numerous bright stars scattered across swirling clouds of orange, yellow, red, and green gas and dust. Some of the gas is spread into thin, thread-like wisps. A dark orange pronounced swirl of gas in the shape of a human ear is visible at the center. Several bright stars display prominent eight-pointed diffraction spikes.$

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 15/09/2026

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 15/09/2026

NEW: One of the largest #NASAWebb images released to date reveals a sweeping view of nearby star forming region IC 348, spanning a whopping 31,000 by 38,000 pixels! Look closely, there’s something to discover in every corner of this stellar nursery: news.stsci.edu/4hgxpnY

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 15/09/2026

“As a result of exquisite planning by our orbital dynamics team, brilliant execution by the operations team, and a precise launch from SpaceX, Roman has fuel for at least 22 years of potential science operations,” said Jamie Dunn, center director at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. #NASARoman 🔭

science.nasa.gov

Fuel Savings Double Potential Lifetime for NASA's Roman Mission - NASA Science

The results are in: NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope's very accurate first mid-course correction, along with other fuel savings, are expected to more

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 14/09/2026

Why was this tidal disruption event so far from its galaxy’s core? Explore this, and other comic questions, with News from the Universe: viewspace.org/video_library?tags=16…

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Reposted by Space Telescope Science Institute

Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 10/09/2026

#NASAWebb is already helping scientists advance our knowledge about the life cycle of stars. How do stars form? Why do stars form in groups? What role do black holes play in the evolution of stars in galaxies? ➡️ go.nasa.gov/4fHCSDK 🔭

At the center is a thin vertical cloud known as Lynds 483 that is shaped like an hourglass with irregular edges. At lower center are two discrete bright white, tiny blobs of light that have raced away from the hidden central stars. The top lobe shows a more prominent orange U-shape. Orange bleeds into light purple, and brighter pink at its edges. Some background stars are visible through sections of this lobe. Higher up, there is an orange arc. Some brighter pink material extends to the top edges near the center. In the lower lobe, less orange is visible. More opaque light purple is in its top third, rippling out into semi-transparent blues and pinks. The lower lobe has more texture. V-shapes left and right of the lobes are darkest, and the background stars in these areas appear orange. Elsewhere, the black background of space is clearer, speckled with tiny white stars and faint orange galaxies.

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 10/09/2026

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 09/09/2026

“Hubble and Webb are like looking through a keyhole at an individual object,” says Kristen McQuinn, who heads the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope mission office at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore. “With Roman, it’s like opening the door, and now you see everything." 🔭 #NASARoman

astronomy.com

How Roman will unlock the universe

This next-generation space telescope will blow past its predecessors to answer questions about everything from stars and planets to dark matter and dark energy.

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 09/09/2026

#NASARoman is currently on its way to L2 where gravitational forces balance to keep objects in steady orbits with very little assistance. The animation begins shortly after launch and concludes with Roman entering its halo orbit around L2. Keep up with commissioning: go.nasa.gov/4gS6Zrb 🔭

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Reposted by Space Telescope Science Institute

NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory @rubinobservatory.org · 07/09/2026

Universe, meet your astronomical dream team! 🤝 Two observatories, two different ways of seeing the cosmos, and a whole lot of potential for discovery when their observations come together. 🧪🔭☄️

Rubin Observatory perched atop its mountain summit site on Cerro Pachón. The observatory is boot-shaped at lower left with long white service building extending left and silver dome sticking up. The dome's vertical slit is open, revealing the telescope in the blackness within. The night sky is peppered with the pinpricks of stars. The Little Beehive Cluster of stars is a denser collection of pinpricks to the upper right of the observatory.

Artist’s rendering of a silver space telescope with a triangular sunshield and dish antenna floating in deep space against a star-filled black background.

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Reposted by Space Telescope Science Institute

Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 08/09/2026

To shed light on an early stage of planet building in our solar system, Hubble and #NASAWebb examined Trans-Neptunian Objects—mysterious, frozen planetary building blocks that never formed into planets. This is the deepest such survey to date: news.stsci.edu/4zX3fgY 🔭

An illustration of a roughly spherical, rocky object against a black background speckled with distant, white stars. The rocky object is the color of red clay and is pockmarked with craters and other geological scars. At the bottom left corner of the illustration in gray lettering is the label “Artist’s Concept.

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 08/09/2026

OPPORTUNITY: The Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, MD, is seeking a Division Head for Platform Engineering to enable modern, scalable, secure, and mission-aligned engineering and operations across the Institute: bit.ly/4xe7cLG

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 08/09/2026

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Reposted by Space Telescope Science Institute

Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 04/09/2026

#NASAWebb, Hubble, and ALMA combined their strengths (infrared, visible, and radio) so scientists could study protoplanetary disk Oph 163131’s structure. Small dust grains create purple arcs, larger dust grains are yellow regions. Credit: ESA, NASA, CSA, ALMA, M. Villenave. 🧪

Oph 163131, a nearly edge-on protoplanetary disk around a newly formed star. The disk, which is small and at the center, looks like a flattened hamburger bun: two flat, purple lobes have a bright, thin vertical disk in the center. The whole protoplanetary disk glows brightly, shining bands of green, blue, and red into space around it. Surrounding the disk, against the black background of space, are several stars that appear as white dots. Distant galaxies also appear as dark orange spirals and other smaller shapes fading into the black background.

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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 04/09/2026

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