Understanding the James Webb Space Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is optimised for making infrared observations in order to study the origin and evolution of galaxies, stars and planetary systems and is designed to look further back in space and time than the Hubble Space Telescope. It is a massive international project, decades in the making, involving NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency. The UK has a key role in leading a multi-national group that provides one of the four instruments on JWST with the lead scientist (Principal Investigator) based at the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh and the Project Manager (John Thatcher) based in what is now Airbus Defence and Space in Stevenage. This presentation provides an overview of how JWST came to be, why it looks the way it does and a preview of what is to come when it begins science operations following its successful launch on Christmas Day 2021.