The first is NGC 628, also known as the Phantom Galaxy.
The Second is NGC 7496.
Both are relatively close to the Milky Way, and both are the subject of ongoing observations as part of the Physics at High Angular resolution in Nearby GalaxieS (PHANGS) survey.
Contributing to PHANGS is one of Webb's early assignments, and already the images show that the newly deployed space telescope is very much worth the hype.
NGC 628 just 32 million light-years away and is one of the more spectacular kinds of galaxies in our sky. It's what is known as a "grand design" spiral galaxy.
Previous observations have revealed that the galaxy's spiral arms are rich with star-forming gas seeded with young and emerging stars.
Astronomers have also observed at least three supernovae in NGC 628 since the turn of the millennium.
NGC 7496, located a mere 24 million light-years away, is what is known as a barred spiral galaxy, with spiral arms extending from a distinct bar that crosses the center of the galaxy.
This is thought to be the result of uneven density in the galactic disk; the denser region pulls stars towards it to create bars.
A beautiful barred spiral like NGC 7496 that is clearly visible is therefore an excellent laboratory for studying how stars are born.
You'll notice that Webb's images are very different from those of Hubble – and that's a good thing. The two telescopes operate in different light regimes.
Hubble is primarily an optical and ultraviolet instrument, while Webb sees in infrared, which can capture light obscured by dust and gas in optical wavelengths.
Hubble is primarily an optical and ultraviolet instrument, while Webb sees in infrared, which can capture light obscured by dust and gas in optical wavelengths.