The Science Performance of JWST as Characterized in Commissioning
Authors: Rigby Jane , Perrin Marshall , McElwain Michael , Kimble Randy , Friedman Scott , Lallo Matt , Doyon René , Feinberg Lee , Ferruit Pierre , Glasse Alistair , Rieke Marcia , Rieke George , Wright Gillian , Willott Chris , Colon Knicole , Milam Stefanie , Neff Susan , Stark Christopher , Valenti Jeff , Abell Jim , Abney Faith , Abul-Huda Yasin , Scott Acton D. , Adams Evan , Adler David , Aguilar Jonathan , Ahmed Nasif , Albert Loïc , Alberts Stacey , Aldridge David , Allen Marsha , Altenburg Martin , Álvarez-Márquez Javier , Alves de Oliveira Catarina , Andersen Greg , Anderson Harry , Anderson Sara , Argyriou Ioannis , Armstrong Amber , Arribas Santiago , Artigau Etienne , Arvai Amanda , Atkinson Charles , Bacon Gregory , Bair Thomas , Banks Kimberly , Barrientes Jaclyn , Barringer Bruce , Bartosik Peter , Bast William , Baudoz Pierre , Beatty Thomas , Bechtold Katie , Beck Tracy , Bergeron Eddie , Bergkoetter Matthew , Bhatawdekar Rachana , Birkmann Stephan , Blazek Ronald , Blome Claire , Boccaletti Anthony , Böker Torsten , Boia John , Bonaventura Nina , Bond Nicholas , Bosley Kari , Boucarut Ray , Bourque Matthew , Bouwman Jeroen , Bower Gary , Bowers Charles , Boyer Martha , Bradley Larry , Brady Greg , Braun Hannah , Breda David , Bresnahan Pamela , Bright Stacey , Britt Christopher , Bromenschenkel Asa , Brooks Brian , Brooks Keira , Brown Bob , Brown Matthew , Brown Patricia , Bunker Andy , Burger Matthew , Bushouse Howard , Cale Steven , Cameron Alex , Cameron Peter , Canipe Alicia , Caplinger James , Caputo Francis , Cara Mihai , Carey Larkin , Carniani Stefano , Carrasquilla Maria , Carruthers Margaret , Case Michael , Catherine Riggs , Chance Don , Chapman George , Charlot Stéphane , Charlow Brian , Chayer Pierre , Chen Bin , Cherinka Brian , Chichester Sarah , Chilton Zack , Chonis Taylor , Clampin Mark , Clark Charles , Clark Kerry , Coe Dan , Coleman Benee , Comber Brian , Comeau Tom , Connolly Dennis , Cooper James , Cooper Rachel , Coppock Eric , Correnti Matteo , Cossou Christophe , Coulais Alain , Coyle Laura , Cracraft Misty , Curti Mirko , Cuturic Steven , Davis Katherine , Davis Michael , Dean Bruce , DeLisa Amy , deMeester Wim , Dencheva Nadia , Dencheva Nadezhda , DePasquale Joseph , Deschenes Jeremy , Hunor Detre Örs , Diaz Rosa , Dicken Dan , DiFelice Audrey , Dillman Matthew , Dixon William , Doggett Jesse , Donaldson Tom , Douglas Rob , DuPrie Kimberly , Dupuis Jean , Durning John , Easmin Nilufar , Eck Weston , Edeani Chinwe , Egami Eiichi , Ehrenwinkler Ralf , Eisenhamer Jonathan , Eisenhower Michael , Elie Michelle , Elliott James , Elliott Kyle , Ellis Tracy , Engesser Michael , Espinoza Nestor , Etienne Odessa , Etxaluze Mireya , Falini Patrick , Feeney Matthew , Ferry Malcolm , Filippazzo Joseph , Fincham Brian , Fix Mees , Flagey Nicolas , Florian Michael , Flynn Jim , Fontanella Erin , Ford Terrance , Forshay Peter , Fox Ori , Franz David , Fu Henry , Fullerton Alexander , Galkin Sergey , Galyer Anthony , García Marín Macarena , Gardner Jonathan P. , Gardner Lisa , Garland Dennis , Garrett Bruce , Gasman Danny , Gaspar Andras , Gaudreau Daniel , Gauthier Peter , Geers Vincent , Geithner Paul , Gennaro Mario , Giardino Giovanna , Girard Julien , Giuliano Mark , Glassmire Kirk , Glauser Adrian , Glazer Stuart , Godfrey John , Golimowski David , Gollnitz David , Gong Fan , Gonzaga Shireen , Gordon Michael , Gordon Karl , Goudfrooij Paul , Greene Thomas , Greenhouse Matthew , Grimaldi Stefano , Groebner Andrew , Grundy Timothy , Guillard Pierre , Gutman Irvin , Ha Kong Q. , Haderlein Peter , Hagedorn Andria , Hainline Kevin , Haley Craig , Hami Maryam , Hamilton Forrest , Hammel Heidi , Hansen Carl , Harkins Tom , Harr Michael , Hart Jessica , Hart Quyen , Hartig George , Hashimoto Ryan , Haskins Sujee , Hathaway William , Havey Keith , Hayden Brian , Hecht Karen , Heller-Boyer Chris , Henriques Caroline , Henry Alaina , Hermann Karl , Hernandez Scarlin , Hesman Brigette , Hicks Brian , Hilbert Bryan , Hines Dean , Hoffman Melissa , Holfeltz Sherie , Holler Bryan J. , Hoppa Jennifer , Hott Kyle , Howard Joseph M. , Howard Rick , Hunter Alexander , Hunter David , Hurst Brendan , Husemann Bernd , Hustak Leah , Ilinca Ignat Luminita , Illingworth Garth , Irish Sandra , Jackson Wallace , Jahromi Amir , Jakobsen Peter , James LeAndrea , James Bryan , Januszewski William , Jenkins Ann , Jirdeh Hussein , Johnson Phillip , Johnson Timothy , Jones Vicki , Jones Ron , Jones Danny , Jones Olivia , Jordan Ian , Jordan Margaret , Jurczyk Sarah , Jurling Alden , Kaleida Catherine , Kalmanson Phillip , Kammerer Jens , Kang Huijo , Kao Shaw-Hong , Karakla Diane , Kavanagh Patrick , Kelly Doug , Kendrew Sarah , Kennedy Herbert , Kenny Deborah , Keski-kuha Ritva , Keyes Charles , Kidwell Richard , Kinzel Wayne , Kirk Jeff , Kirkpatrick Mark , Kirshenblat Danielle , Klaassen Pamela , Knapp Bryan , Scott Knight J. , Knollenberg Perry , Koehler Robert , Koekemoer Anton , Kovacs Aiden , Kulp Trey , Kumari Nimisha , Kyprianou Mark , La Massa Stephanie , Labador Aurora , Labiano Alvaro , Lagage Pierre-Olivier , Lajoie Charles-Philippe , Lallo Matthew , Lam May , Lamb Tracy , Lambros Scott , Lampenfield Richard , Langston James , Larson Kirsten , Law David , Lawrence Jon , Lee David , Leisenring Jarron , Lepo Kelly , Leveille Michael , Levenson Nancy , Levine Marie , Levy Zena , Lewis Dan , Lewis Hannah , Libralato Mattia , Lightsey Paul , Link Miranda , Liu Lily , Lo Amy , Lockwood Alexandra , Logue Ryan , Long Chris , Long Douglas , Loomis Charles , Lopez-Caniego Marcos , Lorenzo Alvarez Jose , Love-Pruitt Jennifer , Lucy Adrian , Luetzgendorf Nora , Maghami Peiman , Maiolino Roberto , Major Melissa , Malla Sunita , Malumuth Eliot , Manjavacas Elena , Mannfolk Crystal , Marrione Amanda , Marston Anthony , Martel André , Maschmann Marc , Masci Gregory , Masciarelli Michaela , Maszkiewicz Michael , Mather John , McKenzie Kenny , McLean Brian , McMaster Matthew , Melbourne Katie , Meléndez Marcio , Menzel Michael , Merz Kaiya , Meyett Michele , Meza Luis , Miskey Cherie , Misselt Karl , Moller Christopher , Morrison Jane , Morse Ernie , Moseley Harvey , Mosier Gary , Mountain Matt , Mueckay Julio , Mueller Michael , Mullally Susan , Murphy Jess , Murray Katherine , Murray Claire , Mustelier David , Muzerolle James , Mycroft Matthew , Myers Richard , Myrick Kaila , Nanavati Shashvat , Nance Elizabeth , Nayak Omnarayani , Naylor Bret , Nelan Edmund , Nickson Bryony , Nielson Alethea , Nieto-Santisteban Maria , Nikolov Nikolay , Noriega-Crespo Alberto , O’Shaughnessy Brian , O’Sullivan Brian , Ochs William , Ogle Patrick , Oleszczuk Brenda , Olmsted Joseph , Osborne Shannon , Ottens Richard , Owens Beverly , Pacifici Camilla , Pagan Alyssa , Page James , Park Sang , Parrish Keith , Patapis Polychronis , Paul Lee , Pauly Tyler , Pavlovsky Cheryl , Pedder Andrew , Peek Matthew , Pena-Guerrero Maria , Penanen Konstantin , Perez Yesenia , Perna Michele , Perriello Beth , Phillips Kevin , Pietraszkiewicz Martin , Pinaud Jean-Paul , Pirzkal Norbert , Pitman Joseph , Piwowar Aidan , Platais Vera , Player Danielle , Plesha Rachel , Pollizi Joe , Polster Ethan , Pontoppidan Klaus , Porterfield Blair , Proffitt Charles , Pueyo Laurent , Pulliam Christine , Quirt Brian , Quispe Neira Irma , Ramos Alarcon Rafael , Ramsay Leah , Rapp Greg , Rapp Robert , Rauscher Bernard , Ravindranath Swara , Rawle Timothy , Regan Michael , Reichard Timothy A. , Reis Carl , Ressler Michael E. , Rest Armin , Reynolds Paul , Rhue Timothy , Richon Karen , Rickman Emily , Ridgaway Michael , Ritchie Christine , Rix Hans-Walter , Robberto Massimo , Robinson Gregory , Robinson Michael , Robinson Orion , Rock Frank , Rodriguez David , Rodriguez Del Pino Bruno , Roellig Thomas , Rohrbach Scott , Roman Anthony , Romelfanger Fred , Rose Perry , Roteliuk Anthony , Roth Marc , Rothwell Braden , Rowlands Neil , Roy Arpita , Royer Pierre , Royle Patricia , Rui Chunlei , Rumler Peter , Runnels Joel , Russ Melissa , Rustamkulov Zafar , Ryden Grant , Ryer Holly , Sabata Modhumita , Sabatke Derek , Sabbi Elena , Samuelson Bridget , Sapp Benjamin , Sappington Bradley , Sargent B. , Sauer Arne , Scheithauer Silvia , Schlawin Everett , Schlitz Joseph , Schmitz Tyler , Schneider Analyn , Schreiber Jürgen , Schulze Vonessa , Schwab Ryan , Scott John , Sembach Kenneth , Shanahan Clare , Shaughnessy Bryan , Shaw Richard , Shawger Nanci , Shay Christopher , Sheehan Evan , Shen Sharon , Sherman Allan , Shiao Bernard , Shih Hsin-Yi , Shivaei Irene , Sienkiewicz Matthew , Sing David , Sirianni Marco , Sivaramakrishnan Anand , Skipper Joy , Sloan G. C. , Slocum Christine , Slowinski Steven , Smith Erin , Smith Eric , Smith Denise , Smith Corbett , Snyder Gregory , Soh Warren , Tony Sohn Sangmo , Soto Christian , Spencer Richard , Stallcup Scott , Stansberry John , Starr Carl , Starr Elysia , Stewart Alphonso , Stiavelli Massimo , Straughn Amber , Strickland David , Stys Jeff , Summers Francis , Sun Fengwu , Sunnquist Ben , Swade Daryl , Swam Michael , Swaters Robert , Swoish Robby , Taylor Joanna M. , Taylor Rolanda , Te Plate Maurice , Tea Mason , Teague Kelly , Telfer Randal , Temim Tea , Thatte Deepashri , Thompson Christopher , Thompson Linda , Thomson Shaun , Tikkanen Tuomo , Tippet William , Todd Connor , Toolan Sharon , Tran Hien , Trejo Edwin , Truong Justin , Tsukamoto Chris , Tustain Samuel , Tyra Harrison , Ubeda Leonardo , Underwood Kelli , Uzzo Michael , Van Campen Julie , Vandal Thomas , Vandenbussche Bart , Vila Begoña , Volk Kevin , Wahlgren Glenn , Waldman Mark , Walker Chanda , Wander Michel , Warfield Christine , Warner Gerald , Wasiak Matthew , Watkins Mitchell , Weaver Andrew , Weilert Mark , Weiser Nick , Weiss Ben , Weissman Sarah , Welty Alan , West Garrett , Wheate Lauren , Wheatley Elizabeth , Wheeler Thomas , White Rick , Whiteaker Kevin , Whitehouse Paul , Whiteleather Jennifer , Whitman William , Williams Christina , Willmer Christopher , Willoughby Scott , Wilson Andrew , Wirth Gregory , Wislowski Emily , Wolf Erin , Wolfe David , Wolff Schuyler , Workman Bill , Wright Ray , Wu Carl , Wu Rai , Wymer Kristen , Yates Kayla , Yeager Christopher , Yeates Jared , Yerger Ethan , Yoon Jinmi , Young Alice , Yu Susan , Zak Dean , Zeidler Peter , Zhou Julia , Zielinski Thomas , Zincke Cristian , Zonak Stephanie 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
This paper characterizes the actual science performance of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), as determined from the six month commissioning period. We summarize the performance of the spacecraft, telescope, science instruments, and ground system, with an emphasis on differences from pre-launch expectations. Commissioning has made clear that JWST is fully capable of achieving the discoveries for which it was built. Moreover, almost across the board, the science performance of JWST is better than expected; in most cases, JWST will go deeper faster than expected. The telescope and instrument suite have demonstrated the sensitivity, stability, image quality, and spectral range that are necessary to transform our understanding of the cosmos through observations spanning from near-earth asteroids to the most distant galaxies.