An online/Zoom presentation by Dr Stephen Wilkins (Sussex University)

This talk open to the public. It is free to members of Vectis Astronomical Society and of Institute of Physics (South Central Branch) who will be sent a meeting link. For non-members, please register using the Eventbrite link on this page (a donation is requested).

About the talk: The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was launched on Christmas Day 2021, and is expected to be fully operational this month, July 2022! The project has been a huge international collaboration over many years, including a big team from the UK. The six-and-a-half metre telescope will open up some of the biggest questions: about the origins of the first stars formed after the Big Bang, the evolution of galaxies and will provide much more detail about other planetary systems, their formation, atmospheres and possibility of extra-terrestrial life.

About our speaker: Dr Stephen Wilkins is Head of Astronomy at the University of Sussex, where he is also Director of Outreach and Public Engagement and a Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Public Engagement Fellow. He is a Yorkshireman who gained his degrees from Durham and Cambridge. His main interest is in the formation and evolution of the first stars and galaxies both using super-computer simulations and space observatories, like Hubble and soon JWST.

The Vectis Astronomical Society (http://www.wightstronomy.org) meets on the 4th Friday of every month, except for December. Whenever possible the events take place near the observatory at Newchurch, IW. The speakers come from all over the country and give a presentation for around 45 minutes, with a chance for questions and answers afterwards. This online/Zoom event is open for non-members to attend. We have a suggested donation of £2.50 for non-members of VAS.