The Solar System Revisited with JWST: New Views, Discoveries, and Questions Â
Stefanie Milam, JWST Project Scientist for Policy and Science Community 3:30 -- 4:00 pm Pre-lecture Reception, Atlantic Building (ATL) 2400 Atrium 4:00 -- 5:00 pm Lecture, ATL 2400 5:15 -- 6:00 pm Post-Lecture Reception, Physical Sciences Complex (PSC) Room 1136
About the Talk: The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has been astonishing the public and science community since the summer of 2022 after a nail-biting deployment sequence and extensive commissioning campaign. The complex space telescope operates with exquisite sensitivity at infrared wavelengths with imagers and spectrometers on board covering 1-28 microns. These instruments are already returning amazing spectra and images of small and large bodies in our solar system, revealing the composition and dynamic processes of these objects not readily accessible with other observatories or even planetary missions.
After only a few years, JWST has already provided fundamental insight into the composition and dynamics of planetary/satellite atmospheres/exospheres and rings as well as the composition of small bodies. We are learning more about the distribution of volatiles and processed materials across the different reservoirs of planetesimals and providing new observational constraints on the formation of the solar system. More importantly, the unprecedented resolution and spectral imaging are leading to new questions as well as revolutionizing planetary science for the outer solar system. The nominal launch and efficient operations in place ensure a JWST science mission lifetime of up to 20 years, enabling new discoveries and exploration for future generations. This presentation will highlight some of the amazing science in the solar system being revealed and some perspectives on what is to come.
About the Lecture: Ralph Pass ('68, '72, Ph.D. '78, mathematics) established the Mike A'Hearn Endowed Lectureship in 2020 in memory of Distinguished University Professor of Astronomy and prominent UMD faculty member Michael "Mike" Francis A'Hearn (1940 - 2017). Pass worked on all the human-crewed Apollo missions and other NASA projects and credited A'Hearn as one of the top influencers of his academic life.
Questions? Contact Barbara Hansborough at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 301-405-1508.