Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The James Webb and Nancy Grace Roman space telescopes are NASA’s latest flagship astrophysics observatories. One is in space already and the other will join it there soon. These two telescopes look very different, have different objectives, and together will advance our understanding of the universe. This four-part video series explores the differences and synergies of Roman and Webb.
Despite different observational strategies, both telescopes will be stationed in space at the Legrange Point 2, a relatively stable region a million miles away from Earth. From there, both will have an almost unobstructed view of the whole sky and low temperatures to keep their instruments cool.
Roman’s broad and enduring view will mesh perfectly with Webb’s focused gaze. As Roman discovers new wonders throughout the cosmos, Webb can follow up with detailed observations to help astronomers understand them better.
Music: “Light Trails,” Max Cameron Concors [ASCAP], Universal Production Music
Download here: svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14891
Music: “Light Trails,” Max Cameron Concors [ASCAP], Universal Production Music
“Relentless Data,” Jay Price [PRS], Universal Production Music
Credits: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
Producer: Scott Wiessinger (eMITS)
Narrator: Barb Mattson (University of Maryland College Park)
Science advisors: Dominic Benford (NASA/HQ), Rob Zellem (NASA/GSFC)
Writer: Scott Wiessinger (eMITS)
Science writers: Ashley Balzer (eMITS), Francis Reddy (University of Maryland College Park), Public affairs officer, Claire Andreoli (NASA/GSFC)
Animators: Adriana Manrique Gutierrez (eMITS), Scott Wiessinger (eMITS), Krystofer Kim (eMITS), Jenny McElligott (Advocates in Manpower Management, Inc.), Jonathan North (eMITS)
The James Webb and Nancy Grace Roman space telescopes are NASA’s latest flagship astrophysics observatories. One is in space already and the other will join it there soon. These two telescopes look very different, have different objectives, and together will advance our understanding of the universe. This four-part video series explores the differences and synergies of Roman and Webb.
Despite different observational strategies, both telescopes will be stationed in space at the Legrange Point 2, a relatively stable region a million miles away from Earth. From there, both will have an almost unobstructed view of the whole sky and low temperatures to keep their instruments cool.
Roman’s broad and enduring view will mesh perfectly with Webb’s focused gaze. As Roman discovers new wonders throughout the cosmos, Webb can follow up with detailed observations to help astronomers understand them better.
Music: “Light Trails,” Max Cameron Concors [ASCAP], Universal Production Music
Download here: svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14891
Music: “Light Trails,” Max Cameron Concors [ASCAP], Universal Production Music
“Relentless Data,” Jay Price [PRS], Universal Production Music
Credits: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
Producer: Scott Wiessinger (eMITS)
Narrator: Barb Mattson (University of Maryland College Park)
Science advisors: Dominic Benford (NASA/HQ), Rob Zellem (NASA/GSFC)
Writer: Scott Wiessinger (eMITS)
Science writers: Ashley Balzer (eMITS), Francis Reddy (University of Maryland College Park), Public affairs officer, Claire Andreoli (NASA/GSFC)
Animators: Adriana Manrique Gutierrez (eMITS), Scott Wiessinger (eMITS), Krystofer Kim (eMITS), Jenny McElligott (Advocates in Manpower Management, Inc.), Jonathan North (eMITS)
