Stunning test images from James Webb Telescope released by NASA

NASA's new space telescope is in the home stretch of testing, with science observations expected to begin in July, astronomers said Monday.

The James Webb Space Telescope beamed back the latest test pictures of a neighbouring satellite galaxy, and the results are stunning when compared with images taken by NASA's previous infrared observatory, the Spitzer Space Telescope.

Each of the 18 mirror segments on the new telescope is bigger than the single one on Spitzer.

"It's not until you actually see the kind of image that it delivers that you really internalize and go, 'Wow!"' said the University of Arizona's Marcia Rieke, chief scientist for Webb's near-infrared camera. "Just think of what we're going to learn."

WATCH | Canadian researchers await images from James Webb telescope:

Canadian researchers await images from James Webb telescope

3 years ago

Duration 2:17

Canadian researchers are eagerly awaiting images from the James Webb Space Telescope and the potential of new space discoveries.

Launched last December, the $10 billion US ($13 billion Cdn)Webb is the largest and most powerful astronomical observatory ever sent into space. It will seek light emitted by the first stars and galaxies close to 14 billion years ago, and keep a sharp lookout for possible signs of life.

Scientists are keeping the identity of Webb's first official target a secret.

Positioned 1.6 million kilometresfrom Earth, Webb is considered the successor to the aging Hubble Space Telescope.