Dec 12, 2012 - The James Webb Space Telescope and Canada's Contribution - Dr. John Hutchings

Abstract: I will review some of the results from the Hubble Space Telescope, and how they lead to defining its successor, the James Webb Space Telescope. The JWST is very different in design, technology, and operation, but will address questions that cannot be answered today. It will also lead to new discoveries presently unimagined. I will describe the required performance, and the technology developed to enable it. I will describe the Canadian instruments that form our part in this NASA-ESA-CSA partnership, along with the other instruments on board.

Presentation (12.5Mb pdf)

Biography: Dr. John Hutchings studied astronomy, completed his astronomy MSc in his native South Africa, and received his PhD from Cambridge University before coming to Victoria. He has worked as an astronomer at the DAO in Victoria for over 40 years with research interests in X-ray binaries, quasars, the interstellar medium, and distant galaxies - using telescopes on the ground and in orbit, from X-rays to radio wavelengths. He has been involved in a number of space telescopes, including the IUE, Einstein, Hubble, FUSE, Astrosat, and have been the project scientist for JWST. He is now working to enable the next generation of astronomy facilities for Canada.
 

James Webb Space Telescope - Canadian Space Agency