Now that the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has completed its commissioning phase and is operational, we will look at some of the first sets of data that have been released from JWST’s initial observations of nebulas, Jupiter, stars, stellar nurseries and exoplanets. In addition, we’ll give a brief overview of the history of the JWST conception, development, flight and deployment and include time for Q&A in this one-hour lecture.

Christopher Mick is the Executive Director for the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) educational nonprofit, Space St. Croix, which brings free, space-themed STEM programming and teacher support materials to all Hudson, Wisconsin area schools, as well as the YMCA, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and home-school programs at the Hudson Area Public Library. He lives in Hudson, Wisconsin.

Mick is a NASA Solar System Ambassador, OSIRIS-Rex Ambassador, member of the NASA Museum & Informal Education Alliance. He was recently on the Education Advisory Board for Infiniscope as well as a blogger for the Space Science Institute. He is a member of the Planetary Society, the National Space Society, is a NASA Social Alum, and has been a presenter at the Space Exploration Educators Conference at Space Center Houston, in Houston, Texas.

Fifty and Better was designed to offer university-level courses and lectures (no tests, no homework) taught by experts in the field, and to host social engagement activities for people age 50 and older.