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Deeper look: The James Webb Space Telescope, with expert Michael Rutkowski
Thursday | October 14, 2021 | 7:00 pm–8:00 pm
Free
Recommended for grades 3rd–8th, but enjoyable for all ages
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will be the largest, most powerful, and complex space telescope ever built and launched into space. Building upon the legacy of the Hubble Space Telescope, Webb will be able to look deeper and reveal more than ever before.
Michael Rutkowski, a JWST expert, will be joining us to talk about his work and the role JWST will play in understanding stars, galaxies, and life in the universe. In this event geared towards students and families, we also share hands-on activities and resources to further your preparation for the highly anticipated JWST launch on December 18.
Mission Goals:
- Search for the first galaxies formed after the Big Bang
- Find out how galaxies evolve
- Observe the formation of stars and planetary systems
- Measure and investigate the potential for life in planetary systems, including our own
At Home Activities & Resources:
- Background Information on the James Webb Space Telescope
- Pack a Space Telescope: Design, build, pack, and deploy your own model space telescope.
- Webb Space Pumpkin Carving Patterns: Just in time for Halloween, have fun combining spider webs with the James Webb in these fun pumpkin carving patterns
- James Webb Space Telescope Poster
- Online James Webb Space Telescope STEM Toolkit materials
- Printable Resources
The James Webb Space Telescope is expected to launch in November 2021. Check NASA’s website for updates. Watch the live stream launch of Webb on NASA TV
About the speaker
Michael is currently an assistant professor in the Physics and Astronomy Department at Minnesota State University-Mankato. He arrived there following post-doctoral appointments at Stockholm University, and prior to that at the University of Minnesota after completing his PhD. at Arizona State University. His primary research efforts are focused on the evolution of low-mass galaxies in the distant universe when they are actively forming stars and in their late stages when star formation has effectively ceased by studying both their broadband colors and spectra. In this work, Michael uses telescopes in space (e.g., Hubble Space Telescope, GALEX, and AstroSat) and on the ground (e.g. Large Binocular Telescope). He is a member of multiple JWST science teams that have earned observing time with the telescope immediately after it completes on orbit checkout and looks forward to exploring the multitude of galaxies this telescope will reveal in both the local and distant universe
This event is in partnership with Minnesota 4H
