--- title: "NASA’s New James Webb Shot Is Much Better When You Put Googly Eyes on It" description: "A new photo shows NASA's James Webb Space Telescope's image of the Pillars of Creation with adorable googly eyes, and we're here for it." date: "2022-10-21" modified: "2022-10-21" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/nasas-james-webb-googly-eyes" categories: - "James Webb Space Telescope" - "NASA" - "Space" tags: - "james webb space telescope" - "NASA" - "the digest" --- # NASA’s New James Webb Shot Is Much Better When You Put Googly Eyes on It ![]() *\Image: ScienceSocks via Twitter\* ## Absolutely No Notes Is it real, or are we still just thinking about "Everything Everywhere All at Once?" On Wednesday, NASA released the [latest cosmic photo]() snapped by its James Webb Space Telescope: an absolutely mesmerizing shot of the space dust-filled star nursery known as the Pillars of Creation. Then, a day later, a new photo dropped. Twitter user ScienceSocks — definitely not NASA — [put googly eyes]() on the Pillars, because of course they did. Initial thoughts? It's perfect. https://twitter.com/ScienceSocks/status/1582758697633083392 ## Pillars of Creation The Pillars of Creation, located in the Eagle Nebula, were [first discovered]() in the mid-1990s. Researchers spotted the celestial crib — where plenty of stars are still being born — using Hubble, which resulted in a mesmerizing image for the ages. The James Webb's latest image, as it's done for other cosmic discoveries, has breathed new life into the cosmic wonder — the sheer number of stars that dot the cosmos are that much clearer, while the color, texture, and composition of the dusty Pillars themselves are seen in greater detail than ever before. The googly eyes, of course, take the iconic shot to a whole other level. ## Meep Meep Netizens were quick to point out that Pillars' googly additions were strikingly reminiscent of a certain gaggle of puppets. And, as far as we can tell, they're totally right. "Oh s\*\*\*," [one Twitter user wrote](), "it's the Sesame Street Martians!" Another keen-eyed cultural historian noted the DIY'd Pillars [look very much like]() the anchovies from Spongebob. We would also venture that they're akin to Ursula's [shriveled mer-prisoners]() from "The Little Mermaid" as well. In any case, the Pillars are perfect — with or without the stick-on eyeballs. **More on the Pillars of Creation:** *[A New James Webb Shot of the Pillars of Creation Is Dazzling Our Tiny Brains]()* ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()