Hubble Space Telescope

Launched in 1990, Hubble orbits Earth and observes mostly in ultraviolet and visible light (with some near-infrared). It delivers sharp images of galaxies, nebulae, and planets.

The Hubble Space Telescope above Earth with solar panels extended.
Hubble in orbit.
Colorful nebula with bright star-forming regions captured by Hubble.
Star-forming nebula.
A spiral galaxy with distinct arms and a bright core.
Spiral galaxy.
Close view of a gas giant’s cloud bands and storms.
Planetary detail.

James Webb Space Telescope

Launched in 2021 to the Sun–Earth L2 point, Webb observes mainly in infrared, revealing early galaxies, star-forming regions behind dust, and the chemistry of exoplanet atmospheres.

The James Webb Space Telescope showing its gold hexagonal mirror segments.
Webb’s segmented mirror.
Infrared view of dusty pillars with newborn stars glowing.
Stellar nursery in infrared.
Galaxy cluster with faint curved arcs from gravitational lensing.
Gravitational lensing.
Plot indicating water vapor in an exoplanet atmosphere.
Exoplanet spectrum.

Quick Comparison

Hubble and James Webb basic characteristics
Category Hubble James Webb
Primary Mirror 2.4 m (single piece) 6.5 m (segmented)
Main Wavelengths UV & Visible (some Near-IR)-IR) Near-IR & Mid-IRd-IR
Location Low Earth Orbit (~540 km) Sun–Earth L2 (~1.5 million km)
Great For Sharp optical views of galaxies/nebulae/planets Seeing through dust; early galaxies; exoplanet chemistry