ESA's New Video Takes You on a 3D Journey Through Webb's Universe

The European Space Agency (ESA) has released a new video to mark the fourth anniversary of the James Webb Space Telescope's launch. Titled Fly Through Webb's Cosmic Vistas, the nearly 45-minute film transforms the telescope's data into a three-dimensional journey across the universe. Viewers can explore everything from nearby nebulae to the most distant galaxies ever observed.

The James Webb Space Telescope, a joint project by NASA, ESA, and the Canadian Space Agency, is the largest observatory ever sent into space. Since its first scientific images arrived in July 2022, it has reshaped our understanding of the cosmos. The telescope's four main instruments—NIRCam, NIRSpec, MIRI, and FGS/NIRISS—collect infrared data, revealing details from our solar neighbourhood to the earliest galaxies formed after the Big Bang.

The new video builds on this data, converting infrared measurements into visible colours and spatial depth. It begins in the Milky Way, flying through glowing nebulae and star-forming regions. The journey then stretches outward, showcasing interacting galaxies and massive galaxy clusters at the edge of observable space. Designed for both public outreach and education, the visualisations highlight the three-dimensional structure of cosmic objects. The video is available on ESA's website and can be embedded in articles for wider viewing.

The release coincides with the telescope's fourth year in operation. By rendering Webb's infrared data as immersive visuals, the video offers a new way to experience the universe. It also underscores the telescope's ongoing role in expanding our knowledge of space.