JWST First Image
Thank you #JWST I cannot express my gratitude enough!
As we celebrate the first images from #JWST, I wanted to share my favorite picture with you and remember how we got there. Early in the winter of 2022 we were anxiously awaiting the very first image from the telescope. The first light of #JWST.
I can remember that day very clearly. We had taken an image from the NIRCam instrument and processed it. I was walking down the galley by the Phil Sabelhaus Flight Control Room when the Wavefront Sensing & Control (WFSC) team released the image that you see. The telescope team had told us over and over - All we expect to see are a few blobs of light to ensure the telescope works. If we see one or two blobs, the telescope is working fine.
Well, as you can see, we saw more than a couple of blobs! I remember calling my wife #elysiastarr as I was watching the image on the screen, "Have you seen the picture?! OMG - I am having shortness of breath! I can't focus!." She immediately thought I had COVID. "NO!, I exclaimed. The telescope works! It really works! Look at the image!"
That moment is forever etched upon my mind and that picture remains my favorite. I will carry it forever and never forget how we got there. It was thanks to a great team and people like #LeeFeinberg and #JaneRigby, and #MattLallo that we were able to achieve what we did!
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And where do we go from there? For myself, I have gone back into the world of defense with #Millennium-Space Systems a Boeing Company. As much as science is an honorable undertaking, contributing to the defense of our nation is equally awesome, very demanding, and incredibly rewarding. If you want a challenge of fast-paced mission design, I encourage you to check us out.
Also, check out what my good friend #gregredfern has to say about astronomy and astrophotography!
For the others - keep doing science!
Assignment Manager at Northrop Grumman SSSD
1 年Thank you for your work on Webb, Carl. It was great working with you on this program for many years at NG.
Sr Project Consultant - Aerospace & Defense
1 年What a stellar accomplishment the JWST is and incredible moments of history to be a part of. New endeavors included. Thanks for sharing, Carl!
?Experienced software and systems engineering consultant/mentor/educator based in the Silicon Valley.
1 年Your contributions to the program were invaluable, Carl! Best MOM in the biz. Hope all is well with you and you're enjoying your latest venture.
Lead Ground Segment/Mission Operations Engineer
1 年I can’t agree more! All JWST has accomplished in a single year is astounding and I can’t wait to see all the other science we continue gather! Thanks again for your incredible work, it’s an effort that at the least will continue to inspire generations of engineers and scientists as we continue to seek understanding of our universe!!
Aerospace Scientist @ Space 4 All | Graduate Researcher | Adjunct Professor | Engineer | Consultant
1 年That beautiful telescope has forever changed my perception of space and has even updated our theories of how life may have started. Amazing, Carl and Team JWST.