Across the Universe: Exploring the James Webb Space Telescope

 

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is the most ambitious space-based observatory ever flown, and was developed and built by an international collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). The observatory will provide unprecedented views of the universe at near- and mid-infrared wavelengths, and will enable astronomers to observe the light from the first galaxies that formed after the Big Bang, and investigate how these galaxies evolved over time. It will also observe planetary systems around other stars to study how they form and evolve, and examine the atmospheres of exoplanets, providing information on their compositions and possible evidence of life.
 
Due to its very large size, the telescope and its sunshield had to be folded to fit within the limited space inside the rocket faring. After launch, a series of delicate orchestrated steps were executed to unfold the telescope into its fully deployed configuration. JWST will be stationed at Sun-Earth L2, where no humans can yet venture, so the entire process had to be conducted remotely and with perfection.
 
Join us for this informative evening presentation by Observatory Scientist Dean C. Hines as he discusses the reasons for developing JWST, why it is designed to observe at infrared wavelengths, and how it will revolutionize our understanding of the universe. Dean will be sharing examples of the types of observations that will be conducted throughout the mission as well as some specific examples from the first year of planned science programs. Come gaze off into (deep) space with us as we explore the universe and the science behind this incredible telescope! 
 
 

Dean C. Hines uses instruments aboard space telescopes to investigate active galaxies, quasars, stellar evolution, and the formation and evolution of planetary systems, including our Solar System. He obtained a BSc and MSc in physics and astrophysics from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, and a Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of Texas at Austin. He was as a member of the Instrument and Science Team for Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) aboard the Hubble Space Telescope, and then the Instrument and Science Team for the Multiband Imaging Photometer for Spitzer (MIPS) aboard the Spitzer Space Telescope. Dr. Hines is currently an Observatory Scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute where he is as member (and former Team Lead) for the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), which was launched aboard the James Webb Space Telescope in December, 2021. He has co-authored more than 180 contributions in astronomy and astrophysics appearing in peer-reviewed journals.