The JWST Mirror Makers! This is the Real Behind-the-Scenes story.
What you will learn
Students will learn how the mirrors for the James Webb Space Telescope were made.
Students will learn about the details of optical fabrication or what is known as “mirror making.”
Students will learn and appreciate the technical challenges that were overcome in creating the JWST telescope mirrors.
Students will take a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the Heart of the world’s greatest observatory.
Description
How many of you are following the incredible James Webb Space Telescope? Well, I think we all can agree that it is truly a marvel and it is just now revealing the Cosmos like never before. But, have you ever wondered how the heart of the telescope, it’s mirrors, were created? Now, imagine, taking a behind-the-scenes look. Well, that’s just what we are going to do with the Webb Mirror Academy Boot Camp. I will share the incredible story, both the beauty and the challenges of JWST mirror making, something you will not find anywhere else.
Hi, my name is Glen Cole. I’m a toolmaker. Specifically, I make telescope mirrors. For the last forty years, I have helped create some of the world’s greatest telescopes. As I like to say, “I’m not Carl Sagan or Stephen Hawking, but I did make their telescopes!” If I may share an analogy, the Astronomers are the race car drivers and we built their Formula One beauty. We are the enablers of their amazing science. On James Webb, I was the Chief Engineer, for the mirror polishing. I was the “general” with my desk out on the optical shop floor, polishing our Webb mirrors. Let me now, share our story!
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