# Webb telescope ‘reveal’: just distressing… **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 11, 2022, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/webb-telescope-reveal-just-distressing/967786 "2022-07-11T22:33:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Turki-lurki](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turki-lurki/32/7168_2.png) [@Turki-lurki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turki-lurki)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2022, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/webb-telescope-reveal-just-distressing/967786/1 "2022-07-11T22:33:27Z")
The telescope is a magnificent achievement. To call its ‘big reveal’ a colossal disappointment is an understatement. Two stammering, stumbling old guys mumbling in front of an image you could barely see. This is NASA PR at its finest? They took the president’s time and announced a national press release with some fanfare. This is what they gave out. Disgraceful. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2022, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/webb-telescope-reveal-just-distressing/967786/2 "2022-07-11T22:36:59Z")
Would you like to post a link of your disappointment? ---
**Author:** ![Turki-lurki](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turki-lurki/32/7168_2.png) [@Turki-lurki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turki-lurki)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2022, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/webb-telescope-reveal-just-distressing/967786/3 "2022-07-11T22:40:47Z")
Sorry. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/M4eV0B9oQQg/maxresdefault.jpg "NASA unveils first color image from James Webb Space Telescope | full video") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4eV0B9oQQg) ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2022, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/webb-telescope-reveal-just-distressing/967786/4 "2022-07-11T22:47:43Z")
OK, “boring” in the sense that it looks like any other picture of the cosmos but it’s way f’n cool when you put it into context. We’re seeing galaxies we’ve never seen before! Not stars, but entire galaxies! What were you expecting if you don’t mind me asking? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2022, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/webb-telescope-reveal-just-distressing/967786/5 "2022-07-11T22:49:36Z")
This was an image of galaxies from 600 million years after the Big Bang. I think that’s awesome. ---
**Author:** ![XOldiesJock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ec9cab/32.png) [@XOldiesJock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XOldiesJock)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2022, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/webb-telescope-reveal-just-distressing/967786/6 "2022-07-11T22:51:10Z")
My wife and I hurried home from shopping so we could see the images. We then waited and waited until they finally got it rolling…and there was one picture. I expected a bit more considering the buildup. It’s a great picture, though. We’re looking forward to more when they have them. Just the thought that you’re seeing over 13 billion years into the past is pretty exciting. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2022, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/webb-telescope-reveal-just-distressing/967786/7 "2022-07-11T22:53:16Z")
I guess I didn’t catch the buildup or fanfare to all of this, and I have the luxury of fast forwarding, but I think it’s pretty f’ing cool. A full-screen shot with black borders for at least a bit would have been nice, though. ---
**Author:** ![Turki-lurki](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turki-lurki/32/7168_2.png) [@Turki-lurki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turki-lurki)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2022, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/webb-telescope-reveal-just-distressing/967786/8 "2022-07-11T22:55:25Z")
A more articulate, engaging explanation. Think Carl Sagan, Neil Degrasse Tyson, or Bill Nye. Science is being denigrated every day by antivaxers, right wing conspiracy folks, and the like. Many people ask why we should spend money on Space at all. This was a chance to have a strong PR moment. Think the ‘Pillars of Creation’ news release, for example. It was a wasted opportunity. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2022, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/webb-telescope-reveal-just-distressing/967786/9 "2022-07-11T23:19:38Z")
Could that presser have been any duller? Zero excitement from anyone in there. White House should have left the reveal to NASA. The explanations would have been better and the excitement would have been much higher. As an aside Bill Nelson is a ghoul from Fallout 3. He makes JB seems like a young buck. ETA: Though I guess leaving it to NASA wouldn’t have saved us from the crypt keeper. Should have let someone with some energy deliver it though. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2022, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/webb-telescope-reveal-just-distressing/967786/10 "2022-07-11T23:21:29Z")
Nothing wrong with pimping it out a bit, but the awesome majesty of the cosmos is not enough for you? A picture is supposed to be worth 1000 words, and all that. You could add 1000 words about infrared spectroscopy, but I am sure I already saw descriptions of all the instruments on the NASA web pages. > [@Cubsfan](#): > > White House should have left the reveal to NASA IMO NASA should leave politics out of it and not involve the White House for such things ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2022, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/webb-telescope-reveal-just-distressing/967786/11 "2022-07-11T23:22:47Z")
> [@XOldiesJock](#): > > My wife and I hurried home from shopping so we could see the images. We then waited and waited until they finally got it rolling…and there was one picture. I expected a bit more considering the buildup. It’s a great picture, though. We’re looking forward to more when they have them. Just the thought that you’re seeing over 13 billion years into the past is pretty exciting. But this is all they promised for today; one image as a preview for tomorrow’s release of (I think six) additional images. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2022, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/webb-telescope-reveal-just-distressing/967786/12 "2022-07-11T23:23:16Z")
It’s a sorry state for our country when our achievements are judged by the publicity and gratification. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2022, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/webb-telescope-reveal-just-distressing/967786/13 "2022-07-11T23:23:24Z")
Without the words, it’s no more impressive than a cardboard tube and a prism. ---
**Author:** ![XOldiesJock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ec9cab/32.png) [@XOldiesJock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XOldiesJock)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/webb-telescope-reveal-just-distressing/967786/14 "2022-07-12T00:29:37Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > _But this is all they promised for today; one image as a preview for tomorrow’s release of (I think six) additional images._ Can’t wait! My wife made it a desktop image for the computer we have connected to the big screen. We’ve been discussing it off and on since. When you look at it at that size, every time you look at it you see something new. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/webb-telescope-reveal-just-distressing/967786/15 "2022-07-12T00:34:52Z")
The gravitational lensing is very cool. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/webb-telescope-reveal-just-distressing/967786/16 "2022-07-12T04:46:34Z")
Yeah, I was disappointed by today’s show. I thought they might show several more pics. They didn’t really show any very clearly, just told us about the one pic and we had to click on some other page to actually see the pic. I expected they’d have some techno/educational discussion at some level at least. Now I wonder what we will see tomorrow. Just a bunch of still pics? Panel discussions or lectures by scientists (or science journalists) discussing the pics? Will it be some kind of public educational show or just pics? Will there be circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one explaining what each one is? I thought we might see at least a little teaser of that today. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/webb-telescope-reveal-just-distressing/967786/17 "2022-07-12T05:12:56Z")
I have two strong conflicting feelings about this. On one hand, this image is a scientific wonder and an awesome technological achievement. It demonstrates the ability of the JWST to focus on an incredibly tiny area of sky (in terms of angular area) where we would normally see nothing at all, and to tease out of it a sharp image of thousands of extremely distant galaxies from 13 billion years ago, galaxies that are not just unimaginably far away in space and time, but receding from us so fast that their very images have been red-shifted into oblivion. One of the most celebrated achievements of the Hubble telescope was its ultra-deep field image, but this one was far more sensitive and was achieved much faster and more easily, portending great discoveries to come. Where I agree with the OP is that this was poorly presented, something that hopefully will be remedied tomorrow when actual scientists do the presentation. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/webb-telescope-reveal-just-distressing/967786/18 "2022-07-12T13:20:58Z")
The image itself is phenomenal. The presentation of the image leaves something to be desired. Especially since some of the things that make the image so phenomenal are only apparent to those well-versed in the relevant fields. If you’re giving a general-public presentation, you need to explain those things well. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/webb-telescope-reveal-just-distressing/967786/19 "2022-07-12T14:10:41Z")
Here’s an interesting comparison of the same patch of sky as imaged by the Hubble telescope and the Webb > **[First images from Nasa’s James Webb space telescope reveal ancient galaxies](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jul/11/nasa-james-webb-telescope-ancient-galaxy-images)** > > The pictures show elements of the universe as they were 13bn years ago, reshaping our understanding of the cosmos ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/webb-telescope-reveal-just-distressing/967786/20 "2022-07-12T14:21:40Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > The gravitational lensing is very cool . Very much seconded. In the Guardian images that **CalMeacham** just linked: Some of the galaxies look bluish and some look reddish. Is that as straightforward as the reddish ones are moving away from Earth while the blue ones are moving toward Earth? IOW, the noted red-shift and it’s less-noted cousin, the blue-shift? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/webb-telescope-reveal-just-distressing/967786.md?page=2)