Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
How are stars born? We’ve long known the fundamentals — stars form from collapsing clouds of gas and dust — and decades of research have shown more of the mechanics. Now, with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers are peering more deeply into star-forming regions than ever before to reveal the nuances of the processes.
Since its science operations began in 2022, Webb has “supercharged” discoveries about star formation with its high-resolution images and data. The telescope’s near-infrared observations can pierce through dust, uncovering the properties of actively forming stars far more clearly. Webb’s mid-infrared observations complement this by detecting a lot more of the dust itself, which helps researchers study the environments surrounding young stars.
In this video, learn about some of the most exciting discoveries Webb has made to date.
Want to read about each finding in depth? Here, we’ve listed both the news releases and assets included in this video to help you continue learning:
Opening sequence showing the Cat’s Paw Nebula: youtube.com/watch?v=fYez0Ighysg
Rho Ophiuchi video tour: youtube.com/watch?v=U3X8rZtVJOQ
June 2023 Orion Bar release, Webb Makes First Detection of Crucial Carbon Molecule: science.nasa.gov/missions/webb/webb-makes-first-detection-of-crucial-carbon-molecule
September 2023 Herbig-Haro 211 release, NASA’s Webb Snaps Supersonic Outflow of Young Star: nasa.gov/missions/webb/nasas-webb-snaps-supersonic-outflow-of-young-star
June 2024 Serpens Nebula release, First-of-Its-Kind Detection Made in Striking New Webb Image: science.nasa.gov/missions/webb/first-of-its-kind-detection-made-in-striking-new-webb-image
January 2023 Chamaeleon I Molecular Cloud release, Webb Unveils Dark Side of Pre-stellar Ice Chemistry: science.nasa.gov/missions/webb/webb-unveils-dark-side-of-pre-stellar-ice-chemistry
May 2025 debris disk around star HD 181327 release, Another First: NASA Webb Identifies Frozen Water in Young Star System: science.nasa.gov/missions/webb/another-first-nasa-webb-identifies-frozen-water-in-young-star-system
January 2024 release, NASA's Webb Depicts Staggering Structure in 19 Nearby Spiral Galaxies: science.nasa.gov/missions/webb/nasas-webb-depicts-staggering-structure-in-19-nearby-spiral-galaxies
Closing sequence that shows the Cosmic Cliffs in 3D: youtube.com/watch?v=UFaZeXHBpsA
Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI
Producer/Editor: Dani Kirshenblat
Writer: Claire Blome
Outreach Scientist: Kelly Lepo
Educator: Alexander Cotnoir
Narrator: Kelly Lepo
Special Thanks: Ralf Crawford, Greg Bacon, Quyen Hart
Music courtesy of Universal Music Group
How are stars born? We’ve long known the fundamentals — stars form from collapsing clouds of gas and dust — and decades of research have shown more of the mechanics. Now, with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers are peering more deeply into star-forming regions than ever before to reveal the nuances of the processes.
Since its science operations began in 2022, Webb has “supercharged” discoveries about star formation with its high-resolution images and data. The telescope’s near-infrared observations can pierce through dust, uncovering the properties of actively forming stars far more clearly. Webb’s mid-infrared observations complement this by detecting a lot more of the dust itself, which helps researchers study the environments surrounding young stars.
In this video, learn about some of the most exciting discoveries Webb has made to date.
Want to read about each finding in depth? Here, we’ve listed both the news releases and assets included in this video to help you continue learning:
Opening sequence showing the Cat’s Paw Nebula: youtube.com/watch?v=fYez0Ighysg
Rho Ophiuchi video tour: youtube.com/watch?v=U3X8rZtVJOQ
June 2023 Orion Bar release, Webb Makes First Detection of Crucial Carbon Molecule: science.nasa.gov/missions/webb/webb-makes-first-detection-of-crucial-carbon-molecule
September 2023 Herbig-Haro 211 release, NASA’s Webb Snaps Supersonic Outflow of Young Star: nasa.gov/missions/webb/nasas-webb-snaps-supersonic-outflow-of-young-star
June 2024 Serpens Nebula release, First-of-Its-Kind Detection Made in Striking New Webb Image: science.nasa.gov/missions/webb/first-of-its-kind-detection-made-in-striking-new-webb-image
January 2023 Chamaeleon I Molecular Cloud release, Webb Unveils Dark Side of Pre-stellar Ice Chemistry: science.nasa.gov/missions/webb/webb-unveils-dark-side-of-pre-stellar-ice-chemistry
May 2025 debris disk around star HD 181327 release, Another First: NASA Webb Identifies Frozen Water in Young Star System: science.nasa.gov/missions/webb/another-first-nasa-webb-identifies-frozen-water-in-young-star-system
January 2024 release, NASA's Webb Depicts Staggering Structure in 19 Nearby Spiral Galaxies: science.nasa.gov/missions/webb/nasas-webb-depicts-staggering-structure-in-19-nearby-spiral-galaxies
Closing sequence that shows the Cosmic Cliffs in 3D: youtube.com/watch?v=UFaZeXHBpsA
Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI
Producer/Editor: Dani Kirshenblat
Writer: Claire Blome
Outreach Scientist: Kelly Lepo
Educator: Alexander Cotnoir
Narrator: Kelly Lepo
Special Thanks: Ralf Crawford, Greg Bacon, Quyen Hart
Music courtesy of Universal Music Group
