A Look into Our Process

The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) news team creates and disseminates news and photo releases covering scientific advancements made using the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope to news organizations worldwide, which use them to build their own coverage in television broadcasts, print publications, and online services. After its launch, our work will also include research using data from the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.

We actively engage journalists by answering questions, providing context, and explaining the importance of the science. Astronomical discoveries are often dense with unfamiliar concepts, complex ideas, and highly technical details, which is why interaction between our news staff, astronomers, and members of the media is essential for our news to accurately and effectively reach the public.

Dive into the Imagery

News Release Imagery Slideshow

This image shows NGC 2014 and NGC 2020, nicknamed the Cosmic Reef due to their resemblance to an undersea world.
Astronomical Image: The Cosmic Reef

This portrait of NGC 2014 and NGC 2020, which commemorated 30 years of Hubble Space Telescope discoveries, highlights how massive stars illuminate and sculpt their birthplace with powerful winds and searing ultraviolet radiation. Learn more

This illustration shows how the gas halo around the Andromeda galaxy would be viewed from Earth.
Photo Illustration: M31 Halo

This illustration shows how the gas halo around the Andromeda galaxy would be viewed from Earth. If it was visible with the naked eye, it would be about three times the width of the Big Dipper. Learn more

This artistic concept shows a powerful quasar outflow ripping through its host galaxy.
Artist’s Concept: Quasar Outflows

This is an artistic rendering of an extremely powerful and energetic quasar outflow detected by astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope. Learn more

This image shows one of the brightest stars seen in the Milky Way galaxy, AG Carinae.
Astronomical Image: AG Carinae

This Hubble Space Telescope image shows AG Carinae, one of the brightest stars in the Milky Way galaxy, surrounded by an expanding shell of gas and dust. Learn more

This illustration depicts the turbulent atmosphere of a nearby brown dwarf.
Artist’s Concept: Nearby Brown Dwarf

This illustration depicts the turbulent atmosphere of a nearby brown dwarf. Observations suggests light escapes from its extremely hot interior and scattered clouds mottle its atmosphere. Learn more

This graphic displays how Webb’s mirrors intercept light and transfers it to the telescope’s instruments.
Illustrative Diagram: Light Path of Webb

This illustrated graphic shows how the James Webb Space Telescope’s primary and secondary mirrors work together to intercept light from cosmological objects, then transfer it into the scientific instruments where it is recorded. Learn more

This artist’s illustration portrays two galaxies that existed in the very early universe.
Photo Illustration: High-Redshift Quasar and Companion Galaxy

This artist’s illustration portrays two galaxies that existed in the very early universe. Scientists estimate that the resolution and infrared sensitivity of the James Webb Space Telescope will allow it to detect a dusty host galaxy like the one depicted here despite the quasar’s searchlight beam. Learn more

This illustration depicts a rocky exoplanet orbiting a red dwarf star.
Artist’s Concept: Cloudy Exoplanet

This illustration depicts a rocky exoplanet orbiting a red dwarf star. Some exoplanet atmospheres will be able to be detected by the James Webb Space Telescope in just a couple hours of observing time. Learn more

Our Team

News gathering begins when members of our team speak to one or more scientists about their research. Based on that conversation, one of our science writers crafts a news release that describes their findings and implications in an engaging and accessible way. Additional team members develop visuals to accompany the release and help explain the results. These images are produced from astronomical data, and maximize aesthetic value while preserving scientific validity.

Graphic artists design illustrations, diagrams, and informational graphics to help make abstract concepts more understandable. Visualization specialists translate astronomy data, images, and computer simulations into motion graphics, 3-D models, and movie sequences to help viewers understand the structure and dynamic processes behind the telescope images.

All release materials are developed in collaboration with astronomers—both those involved with the discovery and on our own outreach team—to ensure that the explanations and visuals relate the science accurately. In addition, NASA and STScI policy requires that the science results be reported in a peer-reviewed scientific paper or at a professional conference, such as an American Astronomical Society meeting, before a release based on those results is issued. STScI news staff also collaborates with the Hubble project scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Headquarters, consulting scientists at STScI, and public affairs offices of scientists’ professional institutions to coordinate releases among the organizations.