Infinite Cosmos: Visions From the James Webb Space Telescope

by Ethan Siegel, Brian Greene (Introduction)

From the years of design and manufacturing through launch and deployment to the extraordinary images and the new science they inform, Infinite Cosmos showcases the revelations coming from the James Webb Space Telescope—the sharpest planetary vistas and the deepest views of the cosmos humankind has ever seen.

Stars forming in clouds of cosmic dust. Jupiter and its moons sharper than we’ve ever seen them. Galaxies billions of years old. The first images from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have electrified the world—and astonished veteran scientists with the wealth of information they reveal. In INFINITE COSMOS, National Geographic tells the 20-year saga of the telescope’s development and the feats of science needed to send it into orbit around the sun, a million miles from Earth. Page after page showcase more than 100 spectacular photographs picturing the cosmos as never seen before, from stardust coalescing in the Eagle Nebula’s “pillars of creation” to glittering galaxies, newly discovered exoplanets, deep-space fields of stars, and the planets of our solar system in vivid detail. The definitive printed record of these historic astronomical accomplishments, this is a book that inspires awe and admiration, perfect for space and aerospace enthusiasts, libraries, and anyone who looks up in wonder at the starry skies.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Space, Photography

224 pages, Hardcover

First published October 8, 2024

Reviews

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

TITLE: Infinite Cosmos: Visions From the James Webb Space Telescope
AUTHOR: Ethan Siegel
PUB DATE: 10.08.2024

From the years of design and manufacturing through launch and deployment to the extraordinary images and the new science they inform, Infinite Cosmos showcases the revelations coming from the James Webb Space Telescope—the sharpest planetary vistas and the deepest views of the cosmos humankind has ever seen.

THOUGHTS:

I have always been fascinated by the cosmos. This is such a breathtaking book. The information and the photographs depicted are phenomenal. I love that the information was presented in a concise format that was easy to digest and simple enough to be understood and enjoyed by anyone at any age.

[Dan Trefethen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the subtitle indicates, this book has some of the most spectacular and record-setting imagery from the James Webb Space Telescope. The first half of the book is a pleasant surprise though, as it provides a textual and visual history of the development of the telescope, showing us how it was built, and describing the many innovative mechanisms that allow the telescope to view the universe in ways we have not been able to before.

This is an homage to painstaking science and technology to build and deploy something that is barely on the edge of the achievable. JWST will be paying dividends for years to come in our understanding of the universe and its origins.

[Vince · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this through a Goodreads giveaway.

This is a really interesting and engaging book. I was in it mostly for the space pictures and didn't expect to enjoy the section on the James Webb Space Telescope's construction and launch as much -- but I actually found it fascinating. I felt like a kid again, reading old Eyewitness Guides and Horrible Science books about our solar system and the Hubble telescope. And the explanations of the JWST's different instruments are valuable even if you do only want the space pictures, because it clarifies why they're so different from what we're already familiar with, and why that's so important.

The captions for the pictures are insightful too, whether it's scientists working on the construction of the telescope's mirrors or the most distant galaxy ever observed. It was a great idea to include comparisons with photos the reader is already familiar with - the pictures of Jupiter and the Pillars of Creation wouldn't have been as interesting to me without this, and it also helped me to understand what the purpose of the JWST's instruments actually is.

I wouldn't normally mention this, but since it's a coffee table book: It's beautiful and well-bound, and I'm sure your guests will enjoy flicking through it. Unfortunately, the key features of one or two double-page spreads are partly hidden in the binding, but this problem is mostly avoided.

[Wendelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The James Webb space telescope is a working monument to human ingenuity, perspicacity, search for knowledge, and collaborative accomplishment. This photobook showcases both the engineering and technical construction of the mirror and telescope, as well as the landmark photos that JWST was able to capture. It's a pagebound tour through awe and all we still stand to know.
From the book:
"The four main science goals (of JWST):
To find the first stars and galaxies ever to form in the universe. With its large aperture eyes and ultra sensitive, ultra deep infrared capabilities, JWST can discern fainter, more distant objects better than any other space-based or ground-based telescope can.

To watch how galaxies grow and merge and to find out how their supermassive black black holes and internal gases evolve within them

To peer into star-forming regions and see directly how planets and other objects form around their stars

Perhaps most ambitiously, to search for signatures of life elsewhere in the universe" (p.126)

[Trinity McClain · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely gorgeous book. The images are vivid and clear (and breathtakingly beautiful), the explanations are thorough and intelligent, yet at the same time concise enough to read quickly and simple enough to be largely understood by even the least scientifically-inclined reader. An excellent book for people who want to learn about space or who just like looking at awe-inspiring views of the cosmos.

[Shalene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I loved this WAY more than the Hubble book. The information is organized far better and includes handy visual elements depicting how the James Webb telescope was made and launched. Truly incredible what mankind can do!

My favorite part was the images and descriptions of the farthest galaxies ever found, which were formed only ~400 million light years after the Big Bang. It’s haunting how far back in time we can see.

[Rachel Coff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been fascinated, and maybe a little obsessed, with the James Webb telescope since the years leading up to its launch. I requested this book from the library expecting to enjoy the photos but ended up reading it cover to cover. This book is a beautiful artifact that makes the science accessible.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book as a Christmas present. This book would be a delight for anyone, like me, who is an amateur astronomer, or just interested in the cosmos. Stunning, awe-inspiring pictures from the new James Webb Space Telescope. Fantastic!

[ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

good photos but often poorly set on the page - e.g. huge amounts is lost in the spine,very poor printing. text is also heavily redundant. between Greene's intro + copy + captions you often get the same info repeated 3x times, basically you can pick which version you prefer

[Colin Kemmis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best images and descriptions of what the new telescope has discovered. Most have!

[Erin Listman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book about the Webb Telescope made for a relaxing read since I’d rather be anywhere else in the universe right now.

[Phillip Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvelous and magical. A magnificent account of the amazing James Webb telescope and its discoveries. Excellent text and beautiful photos. Highly recommended!