The Dutch contribution to the James Webb Space TelescopeSpace Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope is the new flagship of NASA and ESA. Webb is designed to answer fundamental questions about the distant and near universe, from the formation of the first stars and galaxies to the exploration of new worlds. Webb is one of the most ambitious and complex space missions ever, pushing the boundaries of human knowledge.

One of the four scientific instruments on board Webb is the Mid InfraRed Instrument MIRI. The Netherlands developed and built the heart of the MIRI Spectrometer, a hall of mirrors that works at an extremely low temperature of 6 Kelvin. The Optical Infrared Group of the Netherlands Research School for Astronomy (NOVA) was responsible for this, with contributions from TNO, ASTRON, SRON and dozens of Dutch companies.

MIRI splits the light from the telescope into thousands of colors to enable research, among other things, into speeds in the early universe and into the chemical composition of, for example, the atmospheres of exoplanets. After the launch on Christmas Day 2021, the telescope has been unfolded and cooled, all mirrors aligned and the scientific instruments calibrated. The first photos have been presented worldwide. These are nothing short of spectacular and promise many new discoveries.

Presenter: Ramon Navarro works at Astron and is closely involved in the development and use of the MIRI spectrometer.

The lecture can be followed online (as a Webinar).
Access to the Webinar is only possible after registration via the website www.nationaalruimtevaartmuseum.nl and after payment of the costs of participation. NVR members can register via the NVR website.
See under Contact (top right in the menu) or click on the button “To registration Lecture” (below) for the registration form.

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