Celebrating the James Webb Space Telescope Launch

We're looking to the stars in this episode as we highlight how the Henry F. Hauser Museum is partnering with the Huachuca Astronomy Club and Patterson Observatory to celebrate the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope! Museum curator Elizabeth Wrozek is joined by NASA Solar System Ambassador Ted Forte to share exciting news about an out-of-this-world multi-site exhibition and many special events in October all tied to the Webb Telescope. Forte is a longtime member of the Huachuca Astronomy Club and serves as director of the Patterson Observatory located on the University of Arizona Sierra Vista Campus. We discuss the thriving local amateur astronomy community, just what makes the Webb Telescope such a big deal, and how the museum strives to engage the community with local history. For details about the exhibition and events, check out our Fall Vistas newsletter. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• Interview begins (01:25)
• Elizabeth, can you share how this multi-faceted celebration of the James Webb Telescope Launch came about and why you think it’s a good fit for Sierra Vista? (01:30)
• How did the Huachuca Astronomy Club get involved? (02:00)
• What’s the amateur astronomy scene like in our area? (02:54)
• What makes the launch of this telescope such a landmark event in the astronomy world? (05:08)
• Why an “Infrared” telescope? (06:23)
• Multi-site exhibits at four City facilities explore different facets of the James Webb Telescope research. (08:15)
• What were some of the issues the Hubble Space Telescope experienced and how does the Webb Telescope adapt to those lessons learned? (09:37)
  Why send the James Webb Telescope so far away that it can’t be serviced? (11:15)
• What happens to the spacecraft after it runs out of fuel? (12:42)
• Why is it coated in gold? (13:13)
• When does the Webb Telescope launch? (14:03)
• Elizabeth, will the exhibits stay up until the launch and what happens to the exhibits after they are pulled down at City facilities? (15:05)
• Why did you decide to host the Webb exhibit across multiple facilities? (16:14)
• Contribution of the University of Arizona to the Webb telescope. (18:15)
• Huachuca Astronomy Club meeting at Cochise College. (19:08)
• What are some of the Webb Telescope events people won’t want to miss in October? (19:50)
  • City star party in Veterans Memorial Park. (19:58)
  • Sensory Space Exploration program at the Ethel H. Berger Center. (20:20)
  • Webb Telescope launch party at the Patterson Observatory. (20:21)
  • Ted Forte’s presentation on the Webb Telescope at the Sierra Vista Public Library. (25:13)
• And before we sign off, Elizabeth can you share some of the recent updates to the Henry F. Hauser Museum and remind folks about the exhibit currently on display? (25:46)
• Outro (29:01)

Local citizens are encouraged to join the conversation by asking questions, offering comments, and suggesting future topics. To share your thoughts, email Pod@SierraVistaAZ.gov.