July 10—On Tuesday, July 1, the James Webb Space Telescope will release its first full-color images and spectroscopic data. Thomas Zarbuchen, Associate Administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, who was reported to be close to tears when first seeing the images, said: “It’s an emotional moment when you see nature suddenly releasing some of its secrets, and I would like you to imagine and look forward to that.” Mankind is reaching out into the far reaches of the universe. Although we can not (as yet) travel as flesh and blood to these distant galaxies, we can, as human beings, through our minds and the ever-increasing technological mastery of the laws of the universe, share in the wonder of the Creator’s unfolding creation.
