Want to know how the James Webb Space Telescope’s observations are transformed from blackandwhite data into fullcolor images? Follow along as Joe DePasquale and Alyssa Pagan, science visuals developers at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, explain how they process the telescope’s images from start to finish.

Joe shares what happens before the data are downloaded (hint: a lot!) and why its raw images appear almost black. He goes on to explain how stretching and compression are techniques they use to reveal the bulk of what Webb captured.

Alyssa shares how they assign color and compose Webb’s final images to emphasize scientifically valuable details. She also explains how infrared light is different than visible light, and how she and Joe compose the final fullcolor images.

In addition to the full video, all four sections are available for download on this page: https://webbtelescope.org/contents/me...

Read the companion article: https://webbtelescope.org/contents/ar...

Credits:

Producer: NASA, ESA, CSA, Danielle Kirshenblat (STScI)

Video: Greg Bacon (STScI), Jackie Barrientes (STScI), Claire Blome (STScI), Joseph DePasquale (STScI), Quyen Hart (STScI), Leah Hustak , Joyce Kang (STScI), Danielle Kirshenblat (STScI), Kelly Lepo (STScI), Alyssa Pagan (STScI), Yessi Perez (STScI)

Acknowledgment: Macarena Garcia Marin (ESA), Christine Klicka Warfield (STScI)

Illustration: NASA, STScI

Music: APM, Premium Beat