About this Article

Ann Jenkins (Jenkins[at]stsci.edu)

Published September 10, 2026

Do you have a science result that you think would interest the public? Would you like to see it published in a press release that may receive international attention?

If you think you have a newsworthy finding from Hubble or Webb (or soon from Roman, which is currently in commissioning), or if you are affiliated with STScI and have a potential news item, please contact the STScI news team. Our staff will work with you to prepare a press release package to distribute to media worldwide.

What Is Considered ‘News’?

Your result may be considered newsworthy if it presents a major discovery, settles an astronomical controversy, identifies a new mystery, or provides a significant step forward in astronomical research. If your finding sets a new record, represents an “-est” (e.g., largest, oldest, youngest, faintest), identifies a rare or unpredicted event, or provides a new insight, we want to hear from you.

How to Submit Your Newsworthy Finding

If you believe your result will be interesting to the public, please notify us as soon as possible, ideally when a paper is submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. A press release package typically requires four to six weeks to complete, and must be published at the same time as the paper when associated with a NASA mission. Please submit your idea using this pre-populated email. You may also copy the submission information list under Scientist Resources, fill it out, and email it to scientistnews@stsci.edu.

How the Process Works

Initial Evaluation

The news team will assess your result’s newsworthiness, considering both scientific relevance and potential public interest. We may request an exploratory interview to learn more about your findings before making a decision.

Requirements

Previously published results will be declined due to production timelines and the NASA requirement that mission press releases be timed with paper publication. A peer-reviewed research paper is generally a prerequisite for a mission news release. Exceptions can include presentations at professional science conferences, such as American Astronomical Society (AAS) meetings, or announcements in major astronomical bulletins.

Production Timeline

Once the news team conducts the interview with you and your research team, it’s typically four to six weeks before the release is live. This timeframe includes preparing the release and accompanying visual assets, undergoing a multi-layered review, and receiving NASA’s and the research team’s approval of the entire package.

Keeping Your Research Confidential

The news team protects unpublished research results and coordinates with journals that have embargo policies, such as Nature and Science.

• Except in rare circumstances, please refrain from posting preprints on public sites like arXiv.org until your news release is issued.
• Science journalists routinely scan these sites for story ideas, and they do not have the same reach that our releases do.
• Please do not post advance details on social media.
• NASA requires that mission press releases be timed with paper publication.

Single Point of Contact

Please be available to participate in revisions of the news release and supporting products. If you are a part of a research team, please name a single point of contact to represent your group, and ensure timely and accurate scientific reviews.

Review Process

The review process is multi-layered and takes several weeks to complete.

• For NASA mission releases, once the writer drafts the text, it is reviewed at STScI by the news chief and the scientist who advised the news selection process.
• Following this internal review, the release package goes to you for review and approval.
• Then it undergoes a multi-layer review by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and NASA Headquarters.
• The revised release then returns to you and your team for a final check to ensure no inaccuracies were introduced.
• We will also coordinate with the press office of your university or employer so that they may issue a joint release.

Release Distribution

Your release will be timed to coincide with paper publication or conference presentation. The full release text will post to science.nasa.gov, with a summary version posting to STScI.edu. (Non-mission releases from STScI researchers will post in full on STScI.edu.)

Review more detailed instructions about how to submit topics for STScI/NASA press releases.

Find examples of Hubble and Webb news releases.

The STScI news team looks forward to hearing from you!