Overview

The definitive book on the James Webb Space Telescope, including its most stunning images to date, written by space expert Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock. Despite the huge advances in space technology in recent decades, much of the universe still remains a source of mystery, often provoking more questions than answers. Keen to follow on from the findings of the Hubble telescope, NASA successfully launched the James Webb Space Telescope in December 2021 to study every phase of the history of our universe. The first stunningly clear images of the very depths of the universe using Webb’s groundbreaking infrared technology were released in July 2022, forever changing the way we see and understand the origins of our existence. From the never-before-seen bright stars surrounding the cosmic cliffs of the Carina Nebula to the intricate details of dying stars to the first detection of a crucial carbon molecule which forms the foundations of life as we know it, Webb continues to amaze and inform us in equal measure. Bringing her passion as well as her expert knowledge of space and Webb in particular, Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock demystifies these stunning pictures and breaks down the essential science behind each image, explaining what we’re seeing and learning from the world’s most powerful space telescope.

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9781789295726

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Reviews

This book is literally heavenly – a wonderful showcase for the glories of the cosmos revealed by the extraordinary James Webb Space Telescope. -- Marcus Chown, author of The One Thing You Need to Know I expected a feast for the eyes from Webb’s amazing images – and we get that – but Maggie Aderin-Pocock adds a depth of understanding that is rarely found in illustrated books. A collection of wonders. -- Brian Clegg, Science Writer Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock takes us on a tour of Webb's most breathtaking images and reveals what they tell us about the cosmos – and some of its deepest secrets. Get yourself a copy! -- Paul Parsons The James Webb Space Telescope has the power to address some of the most fundamental questions in astronomy and space science, from looking back in time to observe the evolution of the earliest galaxies, to joining the hunt for habitable planets many light years away. Webb will be a game-changer for our understanding of our place in the Universe. -- Suzie Imber, Professor of Planetary Science at the University of Leicester The James Webb Space Telescope is revealing the cosmos with a mind-blowing clarity, but it’s Maggie’s sparkling prose and fizzing enthusiasm that brings it to life. -- Dallas Campbell, presenter and author Maggie knows her stuff and knows how to make you know stuff too! -- Dara Ó Briain, comedian and author Maggie Aderin-Pocock is a world-class space scientist. With Webb’s Universe she offers a stunning insight into the incredible cosmos that surrounds us alongside gorgeous images from NASA – a must-read! -- Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster The ultimate book on all things JWST, perfectly blending astrophysics and engineering. Aderin-Pocock describes not just the science of what’s going on in these incredible JWST images but crucially how the images were taken. -- Dr Becky Smethurst, astrophysicist, author and YouTuber The James Webb Space Telescope’s first years in the heavens captured the public’s imagination, but its picturesque discoveries are more than just pretty postcards. Each image is a window into a fantastic realm where stars are born and die, black holes lurk within galactic hearts, and towering clouds of gas and dust give rise to countless unknown new worlds. Dr Aderin-Pocock’s descriptions will help you understand why JWST’s images matter. Her stories from astronomical history shed new light into how scientists know what they know, and why they want to look deeper into the universe. This beautiful book is every bit as human as it is cosmically grand. -- Rebecca Boyle, author of Our Moon: A Human History

This book is literally heavenly – a wonderful showcase for the glories of the cosmos revealed by the extraordinary James Webb Space Telescope. -- Marcus Chown I expected a feast for the eyes from Webb’s amazing images – and we get that – but Maggie Aderin-Pocock adds a depth of understanding that is rarely found in illustrated books. A collection of wonders. -- Brian Clegg, Science Writer We’re fortunate enough to live in an age where space telescopes are uncovering the universe in extraordinary detail. But what do all these pictures, stunning as they are, really mean? Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock is a scientist with the newest and most powerful space observatory, the James Webb Space Telescope. She takes us on a tour of Webb's most breathtaking images and reveals what they tell us about the cosmos – and some of its deepest secrets. -- Paul Parsons The James Webb Space Telescope has the power to address some of the most fundamental questions in astronomy and space science, from looking back in time to observe the evolution of the earliest galaxies, to joining the hunt for habitable planets many light years away. Webb will be a game-changer for our understanding of our place in the Universe. -- Suzie Imber, Professor of Planetary Science at the University of Leicester

This book is literally heavenly – a wonderful showcase for the glories of the cosmos revealed by the extraordinary James Webb Space Telescope. -- Marcus Chown, author of The One Thing You Need to Know Maggie Aderin-Pocock adds a depth of understanding that is rarely found in illustrated books. A collection of wonders. -- Brian Clegg, Science Writer Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock takes us on a tour of Webb's most breathtaking images and reveals what they tell us about the cosmos – and some of its deepest secrets. Get yourself a copy! -- Paul Parsons The James Webb Space Telescope has the power to address some of the most fundamental questions in astronomy and space science, from looking back in time to observe the evolution of the earliest galaxies, to joining the hunt for habitable planets many light years away. Webb will be a game-changer for our understanding of our place in the Universe. -- Suzie Imber, Professor of Planetary Science at the University of Leicester The James Webb Space Telescope is revealing the cosmos with a mind-blowing clarity, but it’s Maggie’s sparkling prose and fizzing enthusiasm that brings it to life. -- Dallas Campbell, presenter and author Maggie knows her stuff and knows how to make you know stuff too! -- Dara Ó Briain, comedian and author Maggie Aderin-Pocock is a world-class space scientist. With Webb’s Universe she offers a stunning insight into the incredible cosmos that surrounds us alongside gorgeous images from NASA – a must-read! -- Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster The ultimate book on all things JWST, perfectly blending astrophysics and engineering. Aderin-Pocock describes not just the science of what’s going on in these incredible JWST images but crucially how the images were taken. -- Dr Becky Smethurst, astrophysicist, author and YouTuber The James Webb Space Telescope’s first years in the heavens captured the public’s imagination, but its picturesque discoveries are more than just pretty postcards. Each image is a window into a fantastic realm where stars are born and die, black holes lurk within galactic hearts, and towering clouds of gas and dust give rise to countless unknown new worlds. Dr Aderin-Pocock’s descriptions will help you understand why JWST’s images matter. Her stories from astronomical history shed new light into how scientists know what they know, and why they want to look deeper into the universe. This beautiful book is every bit as human as it is cosmically grand. -- Rebecca Boyle, author of Our Moon: A Human History

Author Information

Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock DBE is a space scientist, science communicator and BAFTA-nominated television presenter. As a child she got the space bug and started making her first telescope aged thirteen. She completed a degree in Physics at Imperial College London, where she specialized in optics, which later formed part of her PhD. After project-managing the build of a spectrograph for Gemini South, one of the biggest telescopes in the world, she continued to work on telescope instruments, including a subsystem for JWST. She is Managing Director of Science Innovation Ltd, through which she organizes public engagement activities that show school children and adults the wonders of space. She is Chancellor of the University of Leicester and has won several awards and medals for science communication. In the 2024 New Year Honours list, Maggie was made a Dame. She is the author of numerous books on space and astronomy, including two award-winning children’s books: Dr Maggie’s Grand Tour of the Solar System and Am I Made ofStardust?

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