JWST and Exoplanets - Mark Clampin (SETI Talks)

SETI Talks Archive: http://seti.org/talks

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a large aperture (6.5 meter), cryogenic space telescope with a suite of near and mid-infrared instruments covering the wavelength range of 0.6 µm to 28 µm. JWST's primary science goal is to detect and characterize the first galaxies. It will also study the assembly of galaxies, stellar and planetary system formation, and the formation and evolution of planetary systems. Dr. Clampin will review the design of JWST, and discuss the current status of the project, with emphasis on recent technical progress in the construction of the observatory. He also review the capabilities of the observatory for observations of exosolar planets by means of transit photometry and spectroscopy, direct coronagraphic imaging, and high contrast imaging and spectroscopy. He will discuss the current predictions for the performance of the observatory, with special reference to the demands of exoplanet science observations.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• mark clampin
• jwst
• exoplanets
• james webb space telescope
• nasa
• nasa goddard
• coronagraphs
• space telescope

[frag971]

He is using a microphone why isnt that recorded? Alot of these talks are hard to listen because of unproper audio record. Could you guys adress that?

[setiinstitute]

@frag971 Thanks for the feedback - this is the final video that we have the audio issues for. Our next video has greatly improved audio.

[UfoYes]

Great vid. Thank you.

[sbergman27]

I'd prefer to see JWST on a Delta II, but it's too heavy. It needs a Delta IV or Ariane 5, and is getting the Ariane. The Ariane 5 has launched 55 times with 2 failures and 2 partial failures. The good news is that 1 failure and 1 partial failure were its first 2 test flights in the late 90s. Teething problems. Launch 10 was a failure. Launch 14 was a partial failure. But the last 41 launches, over an 8 yr period have been perfect. It seems like a solid launch system. Likely even better by 2015.

[sbergman27]

JWST is extremely exciting for two of my interests: Cosmology, and studying the atmospheres of exoplanets. In particular, superearths around M-dwarf stars. I'm just a spectator, but I might need a valium on launch day! I was excited about OCO, as well, and it's now at the bottom of the Indian Ocean, near Antarctica, with fish living in it. I looked at the track record of the Ariane 5 and will include the summary in a separate post.

[frag971]

@setiinstitute Thanks alot! This would improve the viewership experience :)