Far and Wide: Roman and Webb's Overlapping Roles in Understanding Our Universe

  • Released Tuesday, January 20, 2026
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Visit the web page: https://science.nasa.gov/roman-and-webb/

Part 1: Differences

The James Webb Space Telescope, which is actively observing the universe from a million miles away, and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, set to launch in 2026, are NASA's two latest flagship astrophysics observatories. Although both are studying myriad cosmic objects to answer fundamental questions about our universe, they have very different designs and capabilities. The universe is such a vast and complex place that it takes many telescopes with different abilities to thoroughly study it. This four-part video series explores the differences and synergies of Roman and Webb.

Webb’s giant mirror, ultracold instruments and infrared vision help it observe the farthest observable reaches of the cosmos. Using its narrow field of view, it can measure distant galaxies and planets outside our solar system with unprecedented detail.

Roman has a large field of view and will capture giant, 300-megapixel images, enabling it to survey the sky 1,000 times faster than Hubble can while maintaining resolution similar to the Hubble Space Telescope’s. Roman will also observe regions repeatedly over time, allowing astronomers to see changes and detect transient events like exploding stars and the movement of planets near the center of our galaxy.

Music: “Light Trails,” Max Cameron Concors [ASCAP], Universal Production Music
“Relentless Data,” Jay Price [PRS], Universal Production Music

Watch this video on the NASA Goddard YouTube channel.

Complete transcript available.

Teaser

This short, vertical-only video promotes the Far and Wide series.

Music: "Obtain the Absolute," Nick Froud[BMI], Universal Production Music

Complete transcript available.

Far and Wide Part 1: Differences [Social Versions]

A shortened version of the first Far and Wide video, available in both vertical and horizontal formats. One vertical copy, labeled "ToS," also has on-screen text for all narration.

Music: “Light Trails,” Max Cameron Concors [ASCAP], Universal Production Music

Complete transcript available.

Credits

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. However, individual items should be credited as indicated above.

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This page was originally published on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
This page was last updated on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 12:59 PM EST.