The James Webb Space Telescope required a new approach to optical design and cryogenic cooling.
Successful ground tests were followed by six months of commissioning after launch, The commissioning
process was a carefully orchestrated exercise to align the telescope which yielded performance nearly
twice as good as pre-launch predictions (eg. the telescope is diffraction-limited almost down to one micron
rather than the predicted limit of two microns). This level of performance has yielded breakthroughs in many
areas ranging from the most distant galaxies to nearby galaxies to exoplanets and solar system objects.

Astro Colloquium and 'coffee & cookies' department gathering (3:30-3:45pm)

Please join in 538 Davey or click the link to join: https://psu.zoom.us/j/93131536409