The world’s most powerful telescope is boldly going further than any human eye has ever seen before. What will we find out there?

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Launch teams monitor the flight progress of Arianespace’s Ariane 5 rocket carrying NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, in the Jupiter Center at the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. The James Webb Space Telescope (sometimes called JWST or Webb) is a large infrared telescope with a 21.3 foot (6.5 meter) primary mirror. The observatory will study every phase of cosmic history — from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

2021, while not the return to normalcy optimistically hoped for in 2020, less optimistically hoped for in 2021, was not without it joys and triumphs.

An unhatched baby dinosaur, covered in feathers and perfectly preserved in its fossilized egg was discovered by researchers in China.

The James Webb Space Telescope was successfully launched Christmas day by the jubilant scientists at NASA.

Arianespace’s Ariane 5 rocket, with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope onboard, is seen in this false color infrared exposure as it is rolled out to the launch pad, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, at Europe’s Spaceport, the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. The James Webb Space Telescope (sometimes called JWST or Webb) is a large infrared telescope with a 21.3 foot (6.5 meter) primary mirror. The observatory will study every phase of cosmic history — from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Hundreds of times more powerful than the Hubble Telescope launched in 1990, humanity’s latest attempt to penetrate the deepest mysteries of the universe promises to deliver breathtaking new pictures and new information about places almost incomprehensibly far away.

Arianespace’s Ariane 5 rocket launches with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope onboard, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, from the ELA-3 Launch Zone of Europe’s Spaceport at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. The James Webb Space Telescope (sometimes called JWST or Webb) is a large infrared telescope with a 21.3 foot (6.5 meter) primary mirror. The observatory will study every phase of cosmic history — from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The successful launch was the result of decades of hard work by NASA scientists determined to take humanity further than the admittedly-far seeing eye of Hubble.

Arianespace’s Ariane 5 rocket launches with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope onboard, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, from the ELA-3 Launch Zone of Europe’s Spaceport at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. The James Webb Space Telescope (sometimes called JWST or Webb) is a large infrared telescope with a 21.3 foot (6.5 meter) primary mirror. The observatory will study every phase of cosmic history — from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe. Photo Credit: (NASA/Chris Gunn)

With its superior capabilities, it is hoped that the James Webb Space Telescope will reveal new information about far-distant galaxies born early in the universe.

In an area so much older than our own Milky Way, what might be discovered about the origins of the universe?

Arianespace’s Ariane 5 rocket launches with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope onboard, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, from the ELA-3 Launch Zone of Europe’s Spaceport at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. The James Webb Space Telescope (sometimes called JWST or Webb) is a large infrared telescope with a 21.3 foot (6.5 meter) primary mirror. The observatory will study every phase of cosmic history — from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The launch was attended by thousands and watched online by millions of people. In advance of the launch, NASA has been collecting submissions from artists all around the world, offering their vision of what Webb might find.

ESA (European Space Agency) Director-General Dr. Josef Aschbacher, left, and NASA Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate Thomas Zurbuchen, right, watch as Arianespace’s Ariane 5 rocket launches with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope onboard, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, from the ELA-3 Launch Zone of Europe’s Spaceport at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. The James Webb Space Telescope (sometimes called JWST or Webb) is a large infrared telescope with a 21.3 foot (6.5 meter) primary mirror. The observatory will study every phase of cosmic history — from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA scientists and engineers were overjoyed at the successful launch and the equally successful separation of the telescope from the rocket that launched it into space.

ESA (European Space Agency) Director-General Dr. Josef Aschbacher, 2nd from left, and NASA Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate Thomas Zurbuchen, 3rd from left, celebrate after hearing confirmation that the James Webb Space Telescope successfully separated from the Ariane 5 rocket, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, in the Jupiter Hall of the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. The James Webb Space Telescope (sometimes called JWST or Webb) is a large infrared telescope with a 21.3 foot (6.5 meter) primary mirror. The observatory will study every phase of cosmic history — from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
NASA Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate Thomas Zurbuchen, left, and Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) Chairman and CEO Philippe Baptiste, celebrate after hearing confirmation that the James Webb Space Telescope successfully deployed it’s solar arrays and the telescope had positive power, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, in the Jupiter Hall of the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. The James Webb Space Telescope (sometimes called JWST or Webb) is a large infrared telescope with a 21.3 foot (6.5 meter) primary mirror. The observatory will study every phase of cosmic history — from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

One amazing thing about mankind’s latest foray into space, and about NASA in particular, has been how much time scientists and directors have given the press and how much unfettered access to photos, videos, and launch data in real time made available to the public.

NASA Program Director for the James Webb Space Telescope Program Greg Robinson gives a brief interview on NASA television as he and the launch team monitor the countdown of the launch of Arianespace’s Ariane 5 rocket carrying NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, in the Jupiter Center at the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. The James Webb Space Telescope (sometimes called JWST or Webb) is a large infrared telescope with a 21.3 foot (6.5 meter) primary mirror. The observatory will study every phase of cosmic history — from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Though nervous about the telescope, NASA hasn’t lost its sense of fun.

NASA Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate Thomas Zurbuchen, wearing astrological themed socks, monitors the countdown to the launch of Arianespace’s Ariane 5 rocket carrying NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, in the Jupiter Center at the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. The James Webb Space Telescope (sometimes called JWST or Webb) is a large infrared telescope with a 21.3 foot (6.5 meter) primary mirror. The observatory will study every phase of cosmic history — from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

James Webb Space Telescope socks were all the rage this holiday season at NASA.

NASA James Webb Space Telescope Program Scientist Eric Smith, wearing Webb themed socks, waits for Arianespace’s Ariane 5 rocket with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope onboard, to rollout to the launch pad, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, at Europe’s Spaceport, the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. The James Webb Space Telescope (sometimes called JWST or Webb) is a large infrared telescope with a 21.3 foot (6.5 meter) primary mirror. The observatory will study every phase of cosmic history — from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The successful launch and subsequent performance of the James Webb Telescope, and the rocket that propelled it, has already given the scientists at NASA plenty to celebrate.

ESA (European Space Agency) Director-General Dr. Josef Aschbacher, left, NASA Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate Thomas Zurbuchen, and NASA James Webb Space Telescope Program Manager Jeanne Davis, right, celebrate after hearing confirmation that the James Webb Space Telescope successfully deployed it’s solar arrays and the telescope had positive power, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, in the Jupiter Hall of the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. The James Webb Space Telescope (sometimes called JWST or Webb) is a large infrared telescope with a 21.3 foot (6.5 meter) primary mirror. The observatory will study every phase of cosmic history — from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

It seems NASA scientists remember well the early problems encountered by the Hubble after launch and have taken considerable pains to avoid any such scenarios this time.

NASA James Webb Space Telescope Program Scientist Eric Smith reacts after hearing confirmation that the James Webb Space Telescope successfully separated from the Ariane 5 rocket, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, in the Jupiter Hall of the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. The James Webb Space Telescope (sometimes called JWST or Webb) is a large infrared telescope with a 21.3 foot (6.5 meter) primary mirror. The observatory will study every phase of cosmic history — from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Which is good because yesterday, the people of earth got their last look at the James Webb Space Telescope before it blazes a trail into the great unknown, from which it will never return.

Here it is: humanity’s final look at the James Webb Space Telescope as it heads into deep space to answer our biggest questions. Alone in the vastness of space, Webb will soon begin an approximately two-week process to deploy its antennas, mirrors, and sunshield. This image was captured by the cameras on board the rocket’s upper stage as the telescope separated from it. The Earth hover in the upper right. Credit: Arianespace, ESA, NASA, CSA, CNES.

Hopefully, humanity will get a few postcards.

(contributing writer, Brooke Bell)