CAP Lecture

James Webb - Unveiling the Hidden Cosmos

Sarah Rugheimer

York University

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is transforming our understanding of the universe with its unprecedented ability to observe the cosmos in infrared light. Webb can peer farther back in time than ever before. Its discoveries have revealed distant galaxies formed just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang, offering a glimpse into the early stages of galaxy evolution. Closer to home, Webb has also captured intricate details of star formation, planetary atmospheres, and even the chemistry of exoplanets, providing new hints into the building blocks of life beyond Earth. This lecture will explore stunning images taken by the JWST, learn about the groundbreaking technology behind it, and understand some of the key science contained in the stunning images we see in the news from the world’s most ambitious telescope.