**This lecture will be given over Zoom**
A nontechnical, illustrated talk by Dr. Andrew Fraknoi
The first images from the James Webb Space Telescope were applauded by scientists, the media, and the public. But there is far more to our expectations from this remarkable space instrument than just pretty pictures. In this introductory talk, astronomer and educator Andrew Fraknoi explains what makes the Webb a truly pioneering instrument, what the first images actually show, and what scientists expect the telescope to accomplish in years to come. In the process, he discusses how the Webb observes an “invisible universe” of infrared rays, and what astronomers are hoping to learn about “cosmic evolution” -- the birth and death of stars, planets, and galaxies. No background in science is required to understand this program.
Andrew Fraknoi teaches courses on astronomy and physics for "poets" at OLLI He is the lead author of the most frequently used introductory astronomy textbook in the country, Astronomy, published online by the nonprofit OpenStax project. He has also written two books for children, several manuals for teachers, and five published science-fiction stories. Fraknoi appears on regional and national radio programs, explaining astronomy in everyday language. The International Astronomical Union has named Asteroid 4859 Asteroid Fraknoi to recognize his contributions to the public appreciation of science. See: http://fraknoi.com for more information about his work or to read his stories.
