An astrophysicist's live reaction to the first JWST science images

Today I was at the National Astronomy Meeting with 500 of my fellow astrophysicists and we were all excited to see the first science images from the James Webb Space Telescope. I recorded my live reaction for you, and theirs! I'll have a more in depth look at each of the images for you in Thursday's video.

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📚 Note, USA & Canada hardback out 1st November 2022

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👩🏽‍💻 I'm Dr. Becky Smethurst, an astrophysicist at the University of Oxford (Christ Church). I love making videos about science with an unnatural level of enthusiasm. I like to focus on how we know things, not just what we know. And especially, the things we still don't know. If you've ever wondered about something in space and couldn't find an answer online - you can ask me! My day job is to do research into how supermassive black holes can affect the galaxies that they live in. In particular, I look at whether the energy output from the disk of material orbiting around a growing supermassive black hole can stop a galaxy from forming stars.

[DrBecky]

I'll have a more indepth look at each image, explaining what we can see and what science we can do with them, in my usual video posting slot on Thursday. Until then, enjoy this live reaction! EDIT: Correction, the JWST image of the Carina Nebula is labelled as a composite image from NIRCAM & MIRI. It is in fact just the NIRCAM image from JWST.

[Pendoza]

It's so crazy that I remember when I was 15 I started to hear about the JWST. It really started my interest in everything related to the Universe. And then now they release the first science images on my 38 birthday.

[MirorRflction]

I absolutely love Becky's enthusiasm for science and her ability to explain such complex topics to everyday people without loosing that enthusiasm

[psyekl]

I have been waiting for 20 years, since I first heard of the JWST project, for these images! I have been fortunate enough to have seen the origin of the Hubble Telescope and all of its discoveries, now I am experiencing this event with just as much enthusiasm as these experts! I can't wait to see what the future brings!

[AdriaStaley]

When they showed that Southern Ring planetary nebula I cried. I cried the rest of the broadcast. It was so stunning and beautiful. Very emotional moment.

[mikkeldamjunker]

Scientists having a larger than life experience - so inspiring

[wdwerker]

Dr. Becky brings knowledge, enthusiasm and passion while explaining these images to us in understandable terms. The press must recognize her charming talent to all want a moment with her. I hope she gets some rest.

[fazergazer]

The spectral resolved images in the Stephan’s Quintet are amazing showing the distribution and velocity of metals! The Boc globules in Carinae in the IR just mind blowing. In the deep field the Einstein lenses…the exoplanet atmosphere component analysis….it’s a dream come true. Wish I could live forever and see all the cool new stuff!!!!

[johnkotches]

I’m neither an astronomer or astrophysicist but I’ve still had a lifelong fascination with the topics. To see professionals in the field as gleefully excited as the fans is well. 😁

In the image with the gravitational lensing around it are the highlight for me.

[KenoxProductions]

These images are so cool to see, even for a complete layman like myself. I can't imagine how it must've felt for all the people working in the field itself.

[weschilton]

These images really are incredible! We all knew JWST was going to outshine Hubble, but finally seeing it--after TWENTY YEARS--made our imaginings feel weak by comparison to the real images and data.

I am SO looking forward to the discoveries this instrument is going to make!

Your reaction was so much like mine.. and I am but a lowly astro-imager. I hope you get time on the JWST for your work. Loved the video!

[vigilantcosmicpenguin]

A room full of astronomers watching an astronomy announcement is just the most joyous energy I can imagine. It's a great feeling.

[zebrion]

Having these images released was a global "stop" moment - where almost the entire world just stopped and "looked up" in a way. Thanks to JWST we now have a much better idea of our place in this universe. Those images are captivating and humbling. In a way it makes all our problems seem a bit smaller.

[ralfmaurer]

Hi Becky your reaction is for me a great reward for all the effort my team and myself as industry project manager for NirSpec development have invested to contribute to this science dream. Keep on showing this and pull everything possible out of this maschine with all you colleagues.

[oldedwardian]

Becky, I am 80 yo so I hope you do not mind me addressing you by your first name, you are the person I want my 16 yo granddaughter to grow up to be.
But here you go AGAIN bubbling over with delight, excitement and joy, based on the TRUTH OF OUR WONDERFUL AND AWESOME UNIVERSE.
This is what a truly spiritual experience is supposed to be all about, it is an EMOTIONAL experience rather than spiritual.
There is only one other thing that can compare, that is to listen to a piece of music, late at night in a quiet room, with the music turned very low.
That music is the Fantasia on a theme of Thomas Tallis by that INCOMPARABLE GENIUS Rafe Vaughan Williams.
Best wishes, listen to the Tallis.

[CMansfield]

It was wonderful to see a crowd of astrophysicists and astronomers reacting like pre-teens watching their first fireworks display. 🎇🔭 😲

[erinhaury]

I'm not ashamed to say I cried when I saw the detail in these images. It is absolutely mind-blowing the level of detail we can see! I am beyond excited for the scientists to start digging through this data. We've so much more to come! 🥰

[pural]

Those are jaw dropping images. I love the details we can see in the Carina Nebula image so much. And the fact we can see the individual stars for the Stephan's Quintet is mind blowing. I look forward to your video.

[shaunweinberg]

I'm 43 and final year physics maths, following my dream gunning masters with no assistance (doing 2 jobs). I know a bit about passion and following your dream, I see that 100% genuine passion in this video.

[nickt]

Your enthusiasm is contagious. I'm stoked for the research this will bring