Thursday, July 14th at Purdue University, West Lafayette Campus
- Presentation beginning at 6 pm, EST with Q&A to follow
- This viewing party will be virtual and broadcast from the Hiler Theater at Purdue University's Wilmeth Active Learning Center (WALC)
Watch live!
MEET OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS
(In order of appearance)
The James Webb Space Telescope is the largest and most powerful space science telescope ever built
It is unfolding the universe and transforming how we think about the night sky and our place in the cosmos. The telescope lets us look back to see a period of cosmic history never before observed. It can also explore distant galaxies, farther away than any we've seen before.
The James Webb Space Telescope studies every phase of cosmic history
The Webb telescope is the scientific successor to the iconic Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes, built to complement and further the discoveries of Hubble, Spitzer, and other NASA missions by accessing the nearinfrared and mid-infrared wavelengths with unprecedented resolution. Webb's revolutionary technology will allow scientists to explore every phase of cosmic history - from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe, and everything in between. Webb will reveal new and unexpected discoveries and help humankind understand the origins of the universe, as well as our place in it.
Did you miss our Dec. 25, 2021 Launch Party? Watch here:
Purdue University Department of Physics and Astronomy watched live with the world as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) successfully launched into orbit after years of delay. It launched from French Guiana at 7:20am EST on December 25th, 2021. We thank all of you who tuned in with us as well as our speakers, our behind the scenes people, and the building administration of Chaney-Hale Hall.
First Images
The JWST's orbit
Professor Danny Milisavljevic
Prof. Milisavljevic is an Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Purdue University College of Science. He is helping NASA unfold the universe and will guide us through these first images returning from JWST. Milisavljevic is a Principal Investigator of Cycle 1 JWST Program for the James Webb Space Telescope. He, along with speakers from the Department of Physics and Astronomy and around the U.S., will provide expert insights into the First Light images.
#firstlight
#unfoldtheuniverse
WHY ARE THE MIRRORS OF THE JWST GOLD?
We Boilermakers may be partial, but here at Purdue, we love the gold panels. #boilerup
When we talk about the James Webb Space Telescope being an infrared telescope, what does it mean? Purdue PhysAstro senior, Alan Jeffrey Wright, has the answer.
MEET OUR ASTRONOMY STUDENTS
Current Purdue Physics and Astronomy students explain why they chose to study astronomy, what they are currently working on at Purdue, and how they think the JWST will change the future of their science. Click the names below to watch each student's full video.
MEET OUR ASTRONOMY FACULTY AND SCHOLARS
Purdue Physics and Astronomy faculty explain how they think the JWST will change the future of their science. Click the names below to watch each professor or researcher's full video.
“JWST is going to allow us to look at stellar objects at wavelengths and resolutions we’ve never been able to use before. Supernova remnants are leftover explosions — that’s what we’ll be studying. We’ll be able to study what type of star was there before the explosion, the physics of the explosion, the type of dust it generated and what made it all happen. Supernova explosions make all the materials for life — the oxygen we breathe, the iron in our blood.” -Professor Danny Milisavljevic
James Webb Space Telescope fun and games
- Scope It Out! Game by NASA
- Make your own unfolding flip book
- Print and fold your own paper model James Webb Space Telescope
- Print your own folding puzzler
- Lesson plans and activities
- The JWST Augmented Reality App (iPhone)
- WebbVR Simulation game on Steam (VR headset required)
- James Webb Space Telescope YouTube Channel
- 3D print a model
#unfoldtheuniverse
Credits:
Photo and video elements by NASA and Purdue University.