Yorkshire Philosophical Society

Event Information

Engineering the James Webb Space Telescope

Professor Emeritus Andy Marvin, The University of York, 

The James Webb Space Telescope produces stunning images of the universe. Often ignored are the engineering challenges overcome in the construction and operation of the telescope. As an engineer, I find these just as interesting and amazing as the images. Let me share some of my enthusiasm.

In this talk I will address the linked engineering issues of;

Where is the telescope and why is it there?

Why is its segmented mirror built the way it is?

How are the images formed by the mirror?

Why does it observe at infra-red wavelengths?

Why is the heat shield built the way it is?

7pm in the Tempest Anderson Lecture Theatre in the Yorkshire Museum on Tuesday 9th December

YPS Members free, non members £5.