Discovering what NASA’s space telescopes Hubble and James Webb have observed in the past has never been difficult, with frequent coverage of cosmic discoveries thanks to the images, spectra, and other data captured by these prolific observatories. However, knowing what they are observing right now has become more accessible thanks to NASA’s Space Telescope Live tool.

Originally developed in 2016 to offer real‑time updates on the Hubble’s targets, this web application has been upgraded to provide up‑to‑date information on current, past, and future observations by both Hubble and Webb. Created by the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore for NASA, Space Telescope Live offers the public a simple and engaging way to understand how astronomical research is carried out.

Exploring the Universe in Real Time

With a redesigned interface and extended capabilities, users can discover not only what planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, or deep-space regions the telescopes are observing, but also where these targets are in the sky. The tool provides details about the scientific instruments used to capture images, spectra, and other data, as well as information on the scheduled time for observations, their current status, the scientists in charge, and the research goals.

Observation data from approved scientific programs is available through the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes. Space Telescope Live facilitates access to this information, allowing users to explore not only the day’s current targets but also an extensive catalog of past observations. Webb’s records date back to its first commissioning targets in January 2022, while Hubble’s archives extend to the start of its operations in May 1990.

The tool includes an expandable sky map centered on the target’s location, developed using Aladin Sky Atlas and ground-based telescope imagery to contextualize observations. It should be noted that due to the preliminary processing and analysis required for Hubble and Webb data, real‑time images are not available in this tool.

Detailed and Transparent Access

Details such as the name and coordinates of the target, scheduled start and end times, and the research topic are drawn directly from observation planning and proposal databases. In addition, the tool provides links to the original research proposals, serving as a gateway to more technical information.

The latest version of Space Telescope Live represents a significant transformation over previous versions, and the team is already gathering user feedback for future improvements to enable even deeper exploration and understanding of the cosmos.

To enter, you must follow these steps:

1. To enter the site and see in real time what the James Webb is observing, click here; and for Hubble, click here.
2. Give it a moment to load or zoom in/out to make sense of the image.
3. Click “Observation Details” to view what Webb is observing. You’ll see the target’s name and category, observation duration, scientific instrument, and more.
4. In the bottom right corner you can zoom in or out of the image—best done with touchscreen or mouse on a PC. You can also switch to fullscreen by clicking “Fullscreen.”
5. Explore other sections at the top right for additional details.

Availability and Access Thanks to NASA

SSpace Telescope Live is designed to be accessible on both mobile and desktop devices and can be accessed through the official Hubble and Webb websites. The user guide offers accessible explanations for the general public about the information shown in the tool.

The James Webb Space Telescope is the world’s leading space science observatory, designed to solve mysteries in our solar system, explore beyond other distant worlds, and study the universe’s structures and origins. This international program is led by NASA in collaboration with ESA (European Space Agency) and the Canadian Space Agency.

On the other hand, the Hubble Space Telescope has been in operation for more than three decades and continues to play a key role in discoveries that redefine our understanding of the universe. Hubble is a cooperative project between NASA and ESA, with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center managing the telescope. Goddard carries out mission operations along with Lockheed Martin Space in Denver, while the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) operates the science for both Hubble and Webb on behalf of NASA.

Space Telescope Live allows the public to follow in real time the observations of these extraordinary telescopes, offering a window into the universe that continues to expand our knowledge and awe of the cosmos.

Reference:

• NASA/What Are Hubble and Webb Observing Right Now? NASA Tool Has the Answer. Link.

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