JWST: From Stunning Images to Cosmic Breakthroughs

In the nearly three years since its launch, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has been fueling a seemingly nonstop string of headlines; with every new image released, it seems there is another astronomical insight, cosmic mystery, or rabbit (black) hole to explore. But what is it that makes JWST so successful? Together, we will dive into the telescope’s exciting discoveries, consider what they tell us about our universe, and contemplate what JWST may still have in store for us — all while enjoying image after image of our beautiful cosmos as captured by this distant marvel. This talk is geared for teens and adults.

About the Speaker - Dr. Aaron Stemo
Dr. Aaron Stemo, is an astrophysicist working at Vanderbilt University as a National Science Foundation Mathematical and Physical Sciences Ascending Postdoctoral Research Fellow. His research focuses on using large collections of data from multiwavelength surveys to better understand how our universe works. Currently, he is studying how supermassive black holes coevolve alongside their host galaxies during galaxy mergers and is developing techniques to incorporate gravitational wave observations into those studies. This is his second Meet the Astronomer Talk at Dyer Observatory, having given a talk titled “The A to Z of Galaxies” in the fall of 2022.