At 7:20 a.m. EST on December 25, NASA opened up a new window of space observation with the launch of its new James Webb Telescope, thanks to collaboration between teams of scientists around the world. The instrument lifted off aboard the Ariane 5 rocket at Europe's Spaceport in a magnificent display of gushing white clouds. Fitted with a gold-coated folding mirror that can extend to 21 feet and 4 inches length—the largest mirror NASA has built—the James Webb Telescope is able to collect large amounts of light, thus enabling it to see more deeply into space. Scientists are hopeful that this newfound technology, the culmination of 40 million hours of construction and the collaboration of thousands of scientists across the world, will allow us to understand more about the cosmic origins of the universe. Thomas Zurbuchen, an associate administrator at NASA, says, "The amazing science that will be shared with the global community will be audacious and profound."

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