Speaker Night – MYSTERIES OF THE COSMIC DAWN

Talk Synopsis

When the James Webb Space Telescope was launched, astronomers looked forward to peering further into space than ever before, and to witnessing the cosmic dawn — the epoch when the first galaxies emerged and set the stage for the universe as we know it today. What happened next was a surprise. Instead of baby pictures, JWST sent back images in which some galaxies looked more massive and developed than expected, apparently straining the ability of cosmological theories to account for their emergence in such a short time. Since then, more data have accumulated and the interpretation has become more nuanced but no less interesting. In this overview of JWST’s initial findings and ongoing discoveries, Ivan Semeniuk embarks on a journey to the cosmic dawn and offers a journalist’s perspective on what it’s like to cover a scientific story that is changing as its being told.

Bio:  Ivan Semeniuk reports on science for The Globe & Mail. A veteran journalist in print, online and broadcast media, his stories have informed Canadians about topics as diverse as space exploration, climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. His past roles include U.S. news editor for the journal Nature, North American bureau chief for New Scientist magazine and producer and columnist with Discovery Channel. Prior to working in science media, Ivan was an instructor and researcher at the Ontario Science Centre where he developed exhibits and programs and oversaw the Centre’s planetarium. His work has garnered several awards including the Royal Canadian Institute’s Sandford Fleming medal for contributions to the public understanding of science.

Banner Credit:  Background by Rick Veregin (NGC6820).  James Webb graphic form NASA