Did the James Webb Space Telescope Change Astrophysics? | 2024 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate

How did the earliest galaxies form, and what implications does that have for fundamental laws of physics? Join Neil deGrasse Tyson, the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium, and a panel of leading scientists and experts for a spirited conversation around the profound impact NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is having on our understanding of the universe since it began transmitting images and astronomical data in 2022.

#JWST #EarlyUniverse #BigBang #Astrophysics

This year’s panelists include Mike Boylan-Kolchin of University of Texas at Austin, Wendy Freedman of the University of Chicago, Priya Natarajan of Yale University, Rachel Somerville of the Flatiron Institute, and John Wise of Georgia Institute of Technology. Delving into the cosmic mysteries unraveled by the JWST, the discussion will explore the telescope’s recent revelations, including bright and enigmatic galaxies that emerge in the extremely early universe–challenging conventional cosmological understandings of how galaxies formed.

The late Dr. Isaac Asimov, one of the most prolific and influential authors of our time, was a dear friend and supporter of the American Museum of Natural History. In his memory, the Hayden Planetarium is honored to host the annual Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate—generously endowed by relatives, friends, and admirers of Isaac Asimov and his work—bringing the finest minds in the world to the Museum each year to debate pressing questions on the frontier of scientific discovery. Proceeds from ticket sales of the Isaac Asimov Memorial Debates benefit the scientific and educational programs of the Hayden Planetarium.

[JohnWise]

I wanted to thank Neil for inviting me and all the panelists and for his team for organizing this flawless event! I had a blast chatting with Neil and the other panelists on and off the stage about our latest work on the first generations of galaxies and their supermassive black holes.

[ismailnyeyusof]

Neil’s super power is the ability to hold the entire scope of the esoteric conversation conducted by five other experts in his mind so that ideas are flowing in a clear direction. All this while ensuring that non experts in the audience can follow, and digest, the conversation. What a hero Neil DeGrasse Tyson is!

[magish]

To my surprise, i found this whole conversation extremely captivating, thanks to all who participated and all those who made it happen.

[salvatoreconza]

I went through a large number of comments and like others would like to thank NDT and certainly the panelists. But, I have to imagine he has scientific staff, event staff and museum staff that work on these events. My thanks to those who helped put together this wonderful panel and event.

[mrpearson]

I've seen all the others since 2010 that are on YouTube. Thankyou for continuing this necessary tradition!

[justfellover]

Thanks for helping an old college dropout understand the story behind the clickbait. And thanks for the easy conversion between redshift and matter density of the universe. That will surely get me out of trouble some day.

[rickelectric]

Neil does an exceptional job of organizing this group as well as asking leading and probing questions to unpack what all these specialists in the cosmos know! Well done!

[username_bot]

If only politicians had even a fraction of the intelligence that these individuals possess.

[robertgoss]

I have learned enormous amounts about our universe thanks to Dr. Tyson and this series. We need far more of this kind of programming on ordinary TV, because YouTube science shows, due to their depth and precision, attract mainly geeks and nerds. Like me. Actually, I'm pretty cool. It's just my wife, my friends, and all those around me who think I'm a nerd.

[MaxExpatr]

Just remember.... It's all fun and games until somebody, somewhere, divides by zero.

[jerelull]

JWST was every astrophysicist's favorite Christmas present — *EVER!* The gift that keeps on giving and giving, and giving ...

[Tomaxe]

Amazing!! This needs to be at least 4 hours long though! Let the pros really talk and get into some niche questions.

[KCMU]

Just an incredibly, stunning panel conducted by Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson. Thank you panelists. Thank you American Museum of Natural History. Wow.

[nathanmoore]

How awesome is that. I was just wondering when the next Isaac Asimov debate would be coming. And here it is today. My favourite science debate/lecture thing.

[dondywondy]

It has taken me a couple of days to find the time to watch this in one go and WOW was it worth it! The future of science and cosmology is so bright. Thank you for bringing this to the world. Asimov would surely approve!

[leoborganelli]

Priya is so well spoken and gives fantastic insight and explanations...so intelligent

[ObsoleteTutorials]

they've cut out the Q&A portion at the end for the last several years of this debate.

[yulrwbz]

I simply love basking in discussions like this, where everyone is a top-level expert eager to explain what they're up to in actual research and learning from each other, and we get a break from all the bad news about what's become of the so-called "justice" system in the USA and the hideously insane wars that never seem to end all over the world.
Thank you, guys, for the break from the daily news!

[lindajirka]

Tyson did an outstanding job of interviewing and interpreting!!! Thank all of the panelists for sharing their expertise.

[rocketmanmarcb]

This was one of the most relaxed, informative, and fun to watch panel discussion I have seen in a long time. Neil asked all the right questions and the panel provided lucid, to the point, knowledge driven answers. The subject matter was the biggest question science is working diligently on answering. What, why, when, and how.