Webb's First Deep Field (SMACS 0723)

A near-infrared image in which the mass of the foreground cluster SMACS 0723 gravitationally lenses far more distant background galaxies into arcs, revealing galaxies as they were over 13 billion years ago.

Instrument: NIRCam · Near-infrared

• Four interacting galaxies clustered together with a fifth foreground galaxy, amid countless background stars and galaxies.

  Stephan's Quintet (galaxy group)

  Public Domain

  Stephan's Quintet

  NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

• A black field densely filled with thousands of galaxies of every size, colour, and shape.

  Hubble Ultra Deep Field

  Public Domain

  The Hubble Ultra Deep Field

  NASA, ESA, and STScI

• A glowing, cliff-like edge of orange gas and dust below a starry blue expanse, with newborn stars sparkling throughout.

  Carina Nebula (NGC 3372)

  Public Domain

  Cosmic Cliffs in the Carina Nebula

  NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

• A shimmering shell of orange and blue gas expanding around a pair of central stars.

  Southern Ring Nebula (NGC 3132)

  Public Domain

  The Southern Ring Nebula

  NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

• An edge-on galaxy with a bright bulging core and a dark, sharply defined dust lane, resembling a wide-brimmed hat.

  Sombrero Galaxy (Messier 104)

  Public Domain

  The Sombrero Galaxy (M104)

  NASA/ESA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)

• The bright band of the Milky Way arching over the domes of a mountaintop observatory under a dark sky.

  The Milky Way

  CC BY 4.0

  The Milky Way over Paranal

  ESO