The James Webb Space Telescope: creating a new era in Astronomy

Speaker
Dr Matt Mountain
Event date
Event time
18:00 - 19:00
Venue
Department of Physics (in person or online)
Clarendon Laboratory, Parks Road
Oxford
OX1 3PU
Venue details

Martin Wood Lecture Theatre & Online

Event type
Lectures and seminars
Event cost
Free
Disabled access?
Yes
Booking required
Required

Dr Matt Mountain, President of AURA and Telescope Scientist for JWST, will present the 24th Hintze Lecture, entitled 'The James Webb Space Telescope: creating a new era in Astronomy'.

Abstract:

On Christmas Day 2021, a new era of astronomy was ushered in with the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The observatory, able to see farther back in time, farther out in space, and deeper into dusty clouds where stars are being born than previous space telescopes, is performing beautifully. This impressive accomplishment is thanks to an international effort of 20,000 technicians, engineers, scientists, and computer scientists who built, tested, launched, commissioned, and are now using JWST.

However, the journey into this new era was not easy! Our speaker will describe what it took to successfully build and launch JWST. He will describe the nail biting six weeks of not knowing whether the telescope would work, culminating in the stunning first images, intriguing results, and new discoveries ahead. This story, our speaker will explain, is just beginning. It is the foundation for a new era of exploration of the Universe and understanding of our place within this vast Cosmos.

Registration is not required if you would like to attend in person.

Register to attend online.