A new multi-year exhibit featuring almost 40 large-scale infrared images and data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope opened at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia last week. The sweeping fabric prints include vast fields of galaxies, massive galaxy clusters, gleaming regions of star formation, and individual stars that have puffed off their outer layers, known as planetary nebulae. Developed by the Office of Public Outreach at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, the immersive exhibit also spotlights images Webb has taken of planets in our own solar system — and worlds that lie within other planetary systems elsewhere in our Milky Way galaxy. Data known as spectra, which reveal specific details about a distant object’s makeup, are also on display. 

If you are traveling to or from the Washington Metro’s Silver Line Dulles Station or Parking Garage 1 and the main airport terminal, slow down and take in the vibrant colors of Webb’s images. Hung on both sides of the hall next to the people movers (or moving sidewalks), the exhibit offers a chance to mentally slow down by absorbing scenes of our expansive — and ever-expanding — universe. 

Consider walking on one side and looking across the hall to pinpoint one or two awe-inducing images. Each time, hold your gaze for a few moments to marvel at the detail — and snap photos so you can reference the labels at the bottom, which share the object’s proper name and type. Once you’ve reached your gate or sat down on a railcar, look up news releases about those objects and dive into the science behind them.

"The Space Telescope Science Institute is excited to share even more wonders of the universe with travelers at Dulles International Airport. Since its launch in 2021, Webb has forever changed the way we see the universe. Its capabilities and scientific discoveries continue to transform our understanding of planets and stars, the first galaxies, and our own solar system," said STScI Director Jennifer Lotz. "We hope this exhibit, coupled with Hubble’s in the same hall, helps bring the universe into reach for travelers and inspires future generations of explorers."

When you look at Webb’s images, think about their scale. Galaxies can range from a few thousand light-years to several hundred thousand light-years across. One light-year is about 6 trillion miles (10 trillion kilometers). Webb captures enormous scenes that may instill awe.

Peer-reviewed research has shown that awe is elicited by something vast that is difficult to immediately comprehend, which prompts a sense of wonder and expanded perspective. Awe may also lead to feelings of quiet and stillness — and a sense that there is more time (always helpful for travelers!). 

Awe-inducing experiences also cause us to be more receptive to learning — and to connecting with others. (Like passing along what you enjoyed most about this exhibit!)

As you continue down the hall, you’ll be rewarded with more than 30 views of our universe taken in ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared light from the ever-active Hubble Space Telescope, which has inspired the world with ongoing discoveries since its launch in 1990. 

Can’t make it to this particular airport right away? Expand what you know about distant worlds, stars, galaxies, and everything in the universe by reading news releases about Webb’s discoveries, along with explainers about a range of scientific topics. Browse the telescope’s image and video galleries. Or, check out what the telescope is observing right now.

Learn more about the Webb and Hubble Dulles International Airport exhibits: www.stsci.edu/dulles

The Space Telescope Science Institute is expanding the frontiers of space astronomy by hosting the science operations center of the Hubble Space Telescope, the science and mission operations centers for the James Webb Space Telescope, and the science operations center for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. STScI also houses the Barbara A. Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes (MAST) which is a NASA-funded project to support and provide to the astronomical community a variety of astronomical data archives, and is the data repository for the Hubble, Webb, Roman, Kepler, K2, TESS missions and more. STScI is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy in Washington, D.C.