Next Friday, May 23, at 17:30, the Museum of Science and the Cosmos of Tenerife will host the popular science lecture "The James Webb Telescope: Highlights and Life Beyond Earth," delivered by the renowned British astronomer Martin Ward, Emeritus Temple Chevallier Professor of Astronomy at the University of Durham (UK) and Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.

This event, organised as part of the European ExGal-Twin Project, will offer the public a unique opportunity to learn about the most significant advances made by the James Webb Space Telescope, the largest and most powerful telescope ever built.

Professor Ward, who has published more than 400 peer-reviewed scientific articles and held important positions such as Vice President of the Royal Astronomical Society and Head of the Department of Physics at the University of Durham, will share with the audience how James Webb’s observations are revolutionising our understanding of the first galaxies formed after the Big Bang and the crucial role of supermassive black holes in their evolution.

During his lecture, which will be delivered in English with consecutive translation provided by a professional interpreter, he will also address one of the most fascinating topics in contemporary astronomy: the study of atmospheres of planets far beyond our own solar system, and the search for potential signs of extra-terrestrial life.

Professor Ward’s connection with telescopes on Tenerife dates back 46 years, when, as a student, he used the then British 60-inch flux collector, now upgraded and named as the 1.5-meter Carlos Sánchez Telescope operated by the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC).

Admission to this lecture is free until full capacity is reached.

The ExGal-Twin Project

The University of Durham, to which the speaker belongs, is one of the partners of the ExGal-Twin project, which stands for Excellence in Galaxies - Twinning the IAC, a European initiative under the WIDERA program of Horizon Europe in the Twinning modality. This project is coordinated by Professor Johan Knapen, the principal investigator, and Laura Riba, the project manager, both from the IAC.

The main goal of the project is to strengthen the research capacity, profile, and impact of the IAC in the field of galaxies by establishing strategic partnerships with three prestigious partners: the University of Groningen (RUG), Netherlands; the CNRS - Strasbourg Astronomical Observatory (ObAS), France; and the University of Durham (ICC), UK.

The project not only promotes joint research, developing strategies to improve competitiveness and ensure sustainable advancements, but will also strengthen IAC’s capabilities in key areas such as high-level project management, administration, and strategic skills.

Contact for more information: exgaltwin [at] iac.es (exgaltwin[at]iac[dot]es)

Funded by the European Union (Widening Participation, ExGal-Twin, GA 101158446). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) alone, and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.