August 2022 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER 19
Sunday August 14th
Oregon Charter Academy hosts James Webb Space Telescope images release
Event included re-screening of NASA reveal broadcast , live Q & A , crafts , more
COURTESY PHOTO : NASA , STSCI AND OREGON CHARTER ACADEMY
This image is divided horizontally by an undulating line between a cloudscape forming a nebula along the bottom portion and a comparatively clear upper portion . Speckled across both portions is a starfield , showing innumerable stars of many sizes .
By SHANE HOFFMANN Pamplin MEDIA GROUP
The Oregon Charter Academy in Wilsonville joined hundreds of sites across the world in celebrating the release of the first images from NA- SA ’ s James Webb Space Telescope on Tuesday , July 12 .
The charter academy was the only school in Oregon , and one of just seven sites statewide , to be selected to participate in the viewing .
The two-hour event included a rescreening of the NASA broadcast from earlier Tuesday morning , which went indepth on the first five photos from the telescope . University of Oregon ’ s physics department was also in attendance , assisting attendees in using special-lensed telescopes which allowed individuals to look directly at the sun and search for sun spots . Children could also participate in creating their own fold-out models of the Webb Telescope as a take-home craft . The technology utilized by the telescope , which launched last December , allows for the universe to be viewed in infrared and will help give insight into the formation of the universe through the study of light .
The first photo released Tuesday was a “ deep field ” — a mesmerizing glance at a cluster of galaxies overflowing with color and detail . Next came a photo of an exoplanet — a planet located outside our solar system — an image of a stellar death , which received the most audible reaction from those in attendance , a cluster of galaxies and finally a photo of a stellar birth .
“ It ’ s clear that Webb represents the best of NASA ,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in the livestream . “ It maintains the ability to propel us forward , for science , for risk taking , for inspiration .”
Following the broadcast , Scott Fisher , head of University of Oregon ’ s physics department , held a live Q & A for those in attendance . He fielded a host of questions including : “ How rare are the images ?” “ How long did it take the telescope to reach its destination ?” And “ What ’ s next for the telescope ?”
“ We ’ re seeing galaxies we didn ’ t even know existed before ,” Fisher said .
The event was a microcosm of the charter school ’ s continued focus on enrichment through science , technology , engineering and mathematics programs . The charter academy ’ s NASA club — a three-year-old program which hosts monthly livestreams from NASA space
WEBB / Page 20
CCC Presents The Stand-up Comedy of
Randy Riggle
Randy has written for many comedians including Jay Leno and Joan Rivers as well as opening for such acts as Dennis Miller , Kenny Chesney , Jerry Seinfeld , & Ellen Degeneres .
• 2:00 pm Doors Open
• 2:30 pm Appitizers
• 3:00 pm Concert
Tickets - $ 30 per person
( includes Charcuterie boards from Gater & Give )
BYOB Tickets on sale Tuesday , Aug 2