James Webb Space Telescope Orbit - Animation

This animation illustrates the James Webb Space Telescope's orbit as seen from above the Sun's north pole.

Webb does not orbit around the Earth. Instead, it orbits the Sun, 1.5 million kilometers (1 million miles) away from the Earth at what is called the second Lagrange Point, or L2. This orbit lets Webb stay in line with the Earth as it moves around the Sun, allowing its sunshield to always provide the telescope protection from the light and heat of the Sun and Earth (and Moon).

Credit: NASA-GSFC

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