Event Description
Join space expert Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock for an inspiring talk on the groundbreaking James Webb Space Telescope.
Despite the huge advances in space technology in recent decades, much of the universe still remains a source of mystery, often provoking more questions than answers. Keen to follow on from the findings of the Hubble telescope, NASA successfully launched the James Webb Space Telescope in December 2021 to study every phase of the history of our universe.
The first stunningly clear images of the very depths of the universe using Webb’s groundbreaking infrared technology were released in July 2022, forever changing the way we see and understand the origins of our existence. From the never-before-seen bright stars surrounding the cosmic cliffs of the Carina Nebula and the intricate details of dying stars to the first detection of a crucial carbon molecule which forms the foundations of life as we know it, Webb continues to amaze and inform us in equal measure.
Bringing her passion as well as her expert knowledge of space and Webb in particular, Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock demystifies these stunning pictures and breaks down the essential science behind each image, explaining what we’re seeing and learning from the world’s most powerful space telescope.
Books will be available for purchase, with a signing session following the event. Don’t miss it!
About
Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock is a space scientist whose passion is presenting science to a general audience and demonstrating that you ‘don’t need a brain the size of a small planet’ to understand, participate in and enjoy science.
Maggie is committed to inspiring new generations of astronauts, engineers and scientists through her 'Tours of the Universe'. She shares the wonders of space, and has given these talks to over 60,000 people across the globe. Her programme Do We Really Need the Moon? (BBC 2), which explored our intimate relationship with the moon, showed just that. The programme earned Maggie the Talkback Thames new talent award at the prestigious Women in Film and TV Awards in December 2011. She went on to present a follow up Do We Really Need Satellites? (also BBC 2) and was one of the Scientists on Channel 4’s Brave New World as well as regular stints on The One Show. She currently presents The Sky At Night on BBC 4 and Mini Stargazing for CBeebies. In 2009, Maggie was appointed an MBE for her services to science and education.
Supported by the Institute of Physics.