#189 Space & Time
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“A picture is worth a thousand worlds.”
I didn’t say that; Google did. On July 13, 2022, I saw this Google Doodle & immediately clicked on it, forgetting whatever it was that I was googling. I recognized the gold hexagonal mirrors & knew it had something to do with the James Webb Space Telescope. Wow — it was announcing the first images sent to earth by JWST! Google’s phrase “a picture is worth a thousand worlds” is a very clever pun, so I used it to blast off AmperArt #189, Space & Time. The very first image sent, that of deep space, was used as the background in my latest piece. Here’s the Google Doodle — click on it to see its amusing animation & read about its creative development.
Have you heard of the James Webb Space Telescope?
Earlier this week I met a new friend who has been in technology throughout his career. I told him how excited I was about the first images of space & time from the new telescope, expecting him to share in the excitement. Instead, he asked “You mean Hubble?” He was not even aware of the James Webb Space Telescope, Hubble’s successor. (He has since told me he Googled it, and said “it’s all over the news!” Yes it is.)
I was amazed that someone in technology had not heard of this technological wonder. That alerted me to realize maybe not everyone has heard about the JWST — or other innovations, for that matter — even if it would be of interest to them. So I was compelled to add this video to introduce those of you (especially if you witnessed the first moon landing in 1969 on your black & white tubes) who have not heard of this successor to the Hubble telescope, which is magnificent in its own right & still in service. You just might be as awed as the rest of us are by the James Webb Space Telescope — especially after you see the spectacular first images that were revealed July 12, 2022.
This excellent video by Fraser Cain at universetoday.com will explain & entertain:
(If the video does not appear, play it on YouTube.)
For those who prefer to read, there’s a good entry about JWST at Wikipedia.
Visit the websites listed below (including NASA.org) for more information about the James Webb Space Telescope.
Space is hard to comprehend…
I have been following the journey of the James Webb Space Telescope since it was first launched on December 25, 2021. For some reason I just feel a deep pride in this venture & I’m thrilled at every task it succeeds in functioning even better than expected. It seems like a miracle that nothing has gone wrong when there is so much that could have. Even the traffic accident (apparently they happen in outer space, too) of a micro meteor denting the mirror last month was planned ahead & compensated for.
It’s hard to comprehend how vast space is & what’s really out there, but…

…time is even harder
It is beyond my comprehension that what I am looking at in these first images from the James Webb Space Telescope is from space & time 13 billion years ago. I truly cannot comprehend that! I will just settle for admiring a spectacular image achieved through the vision & technology of brilliant humans on earth.
The above image, Planetary Nebula NGC 3132, aka Southern Ring Nebula, is captured by JWST in dying star’s final moments (albeit very long moments). More fascination about NGC 3132 here.
AA #189 features Galaxy Cluster SMACS 0723

This has been one of my favorite AmperArt creations to date. I am thrilled to design a piece that celebrates the success — performing flawlessly & far exceeding its expectations — of this marvel of technology, which I have been following since its launch on December 25, 2021.
Not only does this AmperArt #189 Space & Time background feature the very first image (at right or below) released by the James Webb Space Telescope, but the configuration of the telescope’s gold mirrors made for a simple task of creating the ampersand by just moving a few mirrors around. (The ampersand telescope turned out kinda cute, don’t you think?)
The image above is the deepest & sharpest infrared image of the distant universe to date. Known as Webb’s First Deep Field, this image of galaxy cluster SMACS 0723 is overflowing with detail. You can see a larger version & read all the details on the NASA website. Here are some highlights:
✴ The image above shows the galaxy cluster SMACS 0723 as it appeared 4.6 billion years ago.
✴ This deep field, taken by Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam), is made from images at different wavelengths, totaling 12.5 hours
✴ Thousands of galaxies – including the faintest objects ever observed in the infrared – have appeared in Webb’s view for the first time.
Now this should really send your mind to infinity & beyond:
✴ This slice of the vast universe — everything you see in the image above — is approximately the size of a grain of rice held at arm’s length by someone on the ground.
Alien lifeforms
I’m sure if JWST ever finds a colony of intelligent beings out there, they will all be naked. & happy. Maybe that’s what it will take to enlighten us earthlings to finally strip away our prudish, ignorant, senseless censorship against our own bodies. After all, as my favorite bumper sticker says:
There’s plenty of space & time for a billion words or less, so please…
Explore the James Webb Space Telescope & Mission & Images
NASA James Webb Space Telescope mission
First images from Webb Space Telescope
The ultimate guide to the James Webb Space Telescope
Other “webbsites” about the Webb Telescope
Production notes for #189 Space &Time:
Original size: 20x30 inches
Programs: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop
Font: Tall Films
Ampersand: custom by Chaz DeSimone, based on JWST mirror array
Credits:
NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI
Background image: NASA & depositphotos.com (enhanced)
“A picture is worth a thousand worlds.” quote from Google.com
Text about the JWST from Wikipedia.org
Video: Fraser Cain, universetoday.com
You may repost the image & article. Please credit AmperArt.com.
To download a full-size high-resolution 11x17-inch poster suitable for printing & framing, click on the image.

Chaz DeSimone, designer & typographer, is the creator of AmperArt & owner of Desimone Design. He was adding serifs to letters when he was just a little brat scribbling on walls. Now he’s a big brat & his entire career is design, so long as each project requires the most sophisticated, logical, captivating results. Contact him at chaz@desimonedesign.com.
Thank you for subscribing to Chaz’s personal design project, AmperArt. Please invite your friends — those who are fans of the fun & fabulous ampersand — to subscribe at amperart.com.

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Rants & raves mostly about design, sometimes about the universe.
An occasional bit of useful advice.
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