In a statement at KYPE, the President of the Research Center of the Cyprus Space Exploration Organization (CSEO), Giorgos Danos, said that Dr. Lockwood will talk about the latest news from the Telescope, as well as the exciting discoveries regarding the existence of life beyond Earth. “Are we alone in the universe? Dr. Lockwood will give us the latest news," he said.
At 18:30 the general public of Cyprus will be able to listen to a presentation by Dr. Lockwood, and spend an evening filled with space issues at the Research Center of the Cyprus Space Exploration Agency.
Dr. Alexandra Lockwood is a scientist for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore. Currently, he works at NASA headquarters in the Science Mission Directorate. It is located in Cyprus through the United States Embassy in Nicosia and the Office of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State.
Mr Danos said that just two years ago, "we in Cyprus were also enchanted by the first amazing images sent by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the most powerful telescope ever built".
We fondly remember, he continued, our eagerness to see these images, which depicted the Carina Nebula, a vast formation of dust and stars 7.000 light-years away.
He recalled that at that time, the selection of the Cyprus Space Exploration Organization (CSEO) by NASA for the transmission of these first images was a great honor for our country.
These images, Mr. Danos said, marked the beginning of a new era in astronomy, filled with exciting discoveries and incredible revelations about our universe.
"We would not have imagined, however, that today we will have the honor of welcoming to Cyprus the Chief Communications Officer of NASA for the James Webb Space Telescope. Dr. Lockwood will join us to talk about the latest news from the Telescope, as well as the exciting discoveries about the existence of life beyond Earth. Are we alone in the universe? Dr. Lockwood will give us the latest news," he said.
It is recalled that before her arrival in Cyprus, Dr. Lockwood made a statement to the KYPE referring to her contacts on the island, the Telescope and the new discoveries that are expected.
Dr Lockwood, who is a scientist for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, was invited by the CYPE to explain how this modern telescope has changed our understanding of the Universe.
The Webb telescope, he replied, has already revolutionized astronomy by showing us the most distant galaxies in the Universe, discovering atmospheres on solid exoplanets, and opening new insights into the process of star and planet formation.
"The Webb telescope, with its large mirrors and sensitive infrared instruments, allows astronomers not only to discover new celestial objects, but also to really understand what they are made of - their chemical composition - using special spectrographs at different wavelengths" , pointed out.
Asked what she believes will be the next major milestones in space for all of humanity, she first said she is excited by the fact that NASA is pursuing the connection of science and exploration.
"As we go back to the Moon with humans, and we do it in collaboration with industry, I think we're going to learn new things about ourselves and our solar system," he said.
Dr. Lockwood noted that "we are working across our scientific disciplines to look for signs of life near and far and relate them to our own experiences and to Earth."
"The discoveries to come, in the next decade and beyond, will give us a new understanding of our Universe," he concluded.