Penn State Physics Professor Discusses New Deep Space Images At Free Event

ABINGTON, PA — Members of the public are invited to participate in a discussion this upcoming weekend about the recently released James Webb Space Telescope images, which were snapshots of the deepest parts of the universe ever observed.

Area residents can participate in the free event being sponsored by Penn State's Abington campus this Sunday.

The program, which will be led by Ann Schmiedekamp, a NASA Solar System Ambassador and professor of physics at Penn State Abington, will give folks an opportunity to learn more about the historic images of the vast universe and what they reveal.

"We present humanity with a groundbreaking new view of the cosmos from the James Webb Space Telescope — a view the world has never seen before," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement. "These images, including the deepest infrared view of our universe that has ever been taken, show us how Webb will help to uncover the answers to questions we don't even yet know how to ask; questions that will help us better understand our universe and humanity's place within it."

During the upcoming community event, participants of all ages will be able to learn more about the images as Schmiedekamp talks about the telescope's capabilities and key science themes, according to Penn State Abington.

The program will take place at the university's Woodland Building, located at 1600 Woodland Road. It begins at 2 p.m.

The program will include a general presentation followed by a question-and-answer session.

"Engage in demonstrations and roll up your sleeves for hands-on activities," reads a program description online.

Anyone interested in attending must RSVP by following this link.

Schmiedekamp, who will lead the program, has been a NASA Solar System Ambassador since 1999, according to an online bio at the university's website.

NASA says there is at least one such ambassador in every state across the country.

She has been the recipient of various awards, grants and patents, in addition to receiving other honors, throughout her career.

According to the school, her areas of research interest include computational chemistry, and she did an undergraduate project in radioastronomy on the Milky Way Galaxy.

Those who are interested in the newly released images can check out this section on NASA's website as the space agency delves into the historic photos.