James Webb Telescope
Community Events
Celebrate the James Webb Space Telescope Launch with the Fleet!
This fall brings us the much-anticipated launch of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. Webb is NASA’s next great space science observatory, which will help in solving the mysteries of our solar system, looking beyond to distant worlds around other stars and probing the mystifying structures and origins of our universe. The Webb Space Telescope is an international program led by NASA, along with its partners ESA (European Space Agency) and the Canadian Space Agency, and it promises a multitude of discoveries related to our understanding of the universe.
As the countdown toward launch in French Guiana, South America, in October 2021 begins, join us in our wide-ranging list of all the ways you can learn about and celebrate NASA’s newest “eye on the universe!”
Schedule
Studio X: Make Origami
October 5–10
11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Did you know the James Webb Telescope has 18 folding mirrors based on an Origami hexagon pattern? Come join us in Studio X and create your own artistic version of the primary mirror using paper and Origami folding techniques.
Studio X activities are included with general admission.
The Sky Tonight: The James Webb Telescope—Virtual Astronomy Talk
October 6
7 p.m.
NASA’s James Webb Telescope will be the largest, most powerful and complex space telescope ever built and launched into space. It will fundamentally alter our understanding of the universe. Join us for this month's Sky Tonight show to learn more about the new James Webb telescope; what makes it so special and what we hope to learn from it.
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Studio X: Build Your Own Space Rover
October 12–17
11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Join us in Studio X to learn about the James Webb Telescope’s design and construction and get inspired to recreate the telescope using recycled materials based on NASA’s exact life-size model.
Studio X activities are included with general admission.
Studio X: Make a Galaxy Pinwheel
October 19–24
11 a.m.–4 p.m.
The Pinwheel Galaxy is a spiral-shaped galaxy about 21 million light years away from Earth. Scientists call this swirling galaxy M101. For those of us who can't see it in the night sky, we can have the next best thing! Come and make one for yourself using our paper template.
Studio X activities are included with general admission.
Studio X: Make Interstellar Coasters
October 26–31
11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Inspired by the James Webb Telescope mirror shields, we are creating hexagon-shaped coasters and decorating them with interstellar prints!
Studio X activities are included with general admission.
Space STEMonstrations Day
October 30, 2021
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Get hands-on in the galleries with a wide variety of National Informal STEM Education Network demonstrations focused on space science. Guests can learn about gravity and nebulae as they make spin art. Witness how gravity works using a fabric gravity well. Compete to gather enough gas to build a super-sized star. Play a moon adventure game where guests must use science skills to avoid a catastrophe and take a tour of the International Space Station using VR headsets.
Space Demos are included with general admission.
Studio X: Make Origami
November 2–7
11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Did you know the James Webb Telescope has 18 folding mirrors based on an Origami hexagon pattern? Come join us in Studio X and create your own artistic version of the primary mirror using paper and Origami folding techniques.
Studio X activities are included with general admission.
Studio X: Build Your Own Space Rover
November 9–14
11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Join us in Studio X to learn about the James Webb Telescope’s design and construction and get inspired to recreate the telescope using recycled materials based on NASA’s exact life-size model.
Studio X activities are included with general admission.
Space STEMonstrations Day
November 13
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Get hands-on in the galleries with a wide variety of National Informal STEM Education Network demonstrations focused on space science. Guests can learn about gravity and nebulae as they make spin art. Witness how gravity works using a fabric gravity well. Compete to gather enough gas to build a super-sized star. Play a moon adventure game where guests must use science skills to avoid a catastrophe and take a tour of the International Space Station using VR headsets.
Demonstrations are designed by the National Informal STEM Education Network and are presented in partnership with local San Diego businesses and groups including SDG&E, Kaiser Permanente, and ASML. VR headsets are provided by the California NASA Space Grant.
Space Demos are included with general admission.
Space STEMonstrations Day
November 20
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Get hands-on in the galleries with a wide variety of National Informal STEM Education Network demonstrations focused on space science. Guests can learn about gravity and nebulae as they make spin art. Witness how gravity works using a fabric gravity well. Compete to gather enough gas to build a super-sized star. Play a moon adventure game where guests must use science skills to avoid a catastrophe and take a tour of the International Space Station using VR headsets.
Demonstrations are designed by the National Informal STEM Education Network and are presented in partnership with local San Diego businesses and groups including SDG&E, Kaiser Permanente, and ASML. VR headsets are provided by the California NASA Space Grant.
Space Demos are included with general admission.
Studio X: Make a Galaxy Pinwheel
November 16–21
11 a.m.–4 p.m.
The Pinwheel Galaxy is a spiral-shaped galaxy about 21 million light years away from Earth. Scientists call this swirling galaxy M101. For those of us who can't see it in the night sky, we can have the next best thing! Come and make one for yourself using our paper template.
Studio X activities are included with general admission.
Studio X: Make Interstellar Coasters
November 30–December 5
11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Inspired by the James Webb Telescope Mirror Shields, we are creating hexagon-shaped coasters and decorating them with interstellar prints!
Studio X activities are included with general admission.
Space STEMonstrations Day
January 8
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Get hands-on in the galleries with a wide variety of National Informal STEM Education Network demonstrations focused on space science. Guests can learn about gravity and nebulae as they make spin art. Witness how gravity works using a fabric gravity well. Compete to gather enough gas to build a super-sized star. Play a moon adventure game where guests must use science skills to avoid a catastrophe and take a tour of the International Space Station using VR headsets.
Demonstrations are designed by the National Informal STEM Education Network and are presented in partnership with local San Diego businesses and groups including SDG&E, Kaiser Permanente, and ASML. VR headsets are provided by the California NASA Space Grant.
Space Demos are included with general admission.
