The James Webb Space Telescope: commissioning and first images

Marcio B. Meléndez, PhD

Principal Astronomical Optics Scientist
Space Telescope Science Institute

Wed, October 19, 2022 - 4:00 PM
In-Person in Hannan 108   AND 
Streamed on  Zoom:  
https://cua.zoom.us/j/81926803632?pwd=bWFzR3BPNi9SSDRRcURubE1mTm1YQT09

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a segmented deployable telescope for infrared astronomy, launched on December 25th, 2021 and currently operating at L2. In this talk, I’ll summarize the details of the Webb commissioning process that began about 1 month after launch and finished with the release of its first public images. I’ll describe the wavefront sensing commissioning process that transformed an array of 18 scattered mirror segments into a phased telescope, producing diffraction-limited images. I’ll share my experience as a member of the wavefront sensing and control group at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) and show the evolution of Webb imaging; from first light to calibration programs to spectacular post-commissioning press releases.

 

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