Notices by Erin M. May, PhD (_astronomay@mastodon.online)

@tagomago yes! That's actually what I study! With the Hubble space telescope we've only really been looking for water in giant exoplanet atmospheres because of the limited wavelengths it can study, but with JWST we'll be able to search for a lot of different molecules, including finding atmosphere or *maybe* biosignature gases on rocky exoplanets! 🔭

@tagomago yep, That's what JWST stands for. Many astronomers do not use the actual name, though, because of who the telescope is named after. You can read more here:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-revelations-raise-pressure-on-nasa-to-rename-the-james-webb-space-telescope/

Did you see the news that all of the #JWST instruments are aligned now?

Check out this comparison of one of the newly released calibration images from the MIRI instrument compared to images taken of the same region of space by the WISE and Spitzer space telescopes! Look at that resolution! So many newly resolved stars and structures! 🤩

I can't wait for all the new discoveries we'll make with JWST! #Science data starts in only a couple months!

(Image from @/AndrasGasper on birdapp)

Attempting to become a #twitter convert. So an #introduction is due I suppose? I'm a scientist (astrophysics) who studies the atmospheres of planets around other stars. Passionate about communication science to the public, particularly when it comes to habitability of exoplanets! Follow me for science, cats, and crafts <3

Do people like threads here? I guess we'll find out!

Between meetings today I thought I'd talk about #NASA #JWST and all the exciting #science we can expect from it starting in a few months!

(Yes, I made this travel mug ❤️)

#SciComm #Exoplanets #Astronomy #Astrophysics #Telescope #MastodonNewbie