Nature Connections: James Webb Space Telescope

A Nature Connections event presented by the Natural History Society of Maryland, this Out of This World Experience includes a number of types of activities for ages 10 and up led by representatives from the  Space Telescope Science Institute.

Participants will be able to don a Virtual Reality headset then head out into space in the fully immersive WebbVR experience. You can visit the James Webb Space Telescope at its orbit point beyond the Moon, 1 million miles from Earth, set against an accurate backdrop of the Solar System. Fly up-close to Webb’s beautiful golden mirrors, and look out from its perspective on the universe. You can also compare Webb with the Hubble and WFIRST space telescopes. Info hubs within the VR environment provide more information about each mission.  Further out, explore your own cosmic neighborhood—the Solar System—in gorgeous detail. Fly through Saturn’s rings or join Jupiter’s moons in orbit around the gas giant. You may also leave the Solar System behind and visit the stunning Orion Nebula, where a swirling disk of gas and dust is beginning to form planets, or fly through the star fields of a simulated galaxy.

There will be a special presentation about the telescope at 1:30 pm. The program is free but RSVPs are required.

About Nature Connections: Nature Connections is a signature program offered by the Natural History Society of Maryland with financial support from Constellation Energy. Programs are held on select Sundays are free* and open to the public (COVID rules in effect). Each Nature Connection focuses on a different natural history topic.

• Learn from presentations and displays from local experts and organizations • Explore specimens and artifacts from natural history collections • Hear about related citizen science projects • Talk to scientists who can answer your questions and guide your discoveries of the natural world • Enjoy games, art, crafts, stories, music, and drama for all ages

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