Explore the fundamental questions of the universe -- and how astronomy seeks to answer them.

Watch the webcast on Air and Space Live or attend in person: 

7:30 pm           Meet the lecturer
8:00 pm           Lecture begins
9:00 pm           Stargazing in the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory, weather permitting

The most remarkable developments in the last century of astronomy are the enormous expansion in the power of both our observing capabilities and the content of our astronomical theories. But despite these astonishing advances, astronomers still grapple with fundamental questions about the universe: its size, its beginning, and our place within it.

In this lecture, Robert Smith, professor of history at the University of Alberta, will examine how astronomers in the past set out to address these questions. He will also place the James Webb Space Telescope into a broad context to better reveal the place of the premier space observatory in the next decade of astronomy. 

This lecture is free but tickets are required. Please reserve your tickets using the form below. 

About the Exploring Space Lecture Series

Meet Hubble's Successor: The James Webb Space Telescope
When the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) launches in 2019, it will be the premier space observatory of the next decade, serving thousands of astronomers worldwide. It will study every phase in the history of our universe, ranging from the first luminous glows after the Big Bang to the formation of galaxies, stars, and planetary systems capable of supporting life. This year’s Exploring Space lectures explore the final preparations of launching and commissioning the JWST and capture the excitement among leading participants eagerly anticipating "first light." Each speaker will lend their personal insight and perspective to help us appreciate the significance of the JWST in its fullest scientific, technical, and historical context. Get tickets to all the Exploring Space lectures. 

The Exploring Space Lecture Series is made possible by the generous support of Aerojet Rocketdyne and United Launch Alliance.