The James Webb Space Telescope Mirror Academy Boot Camp

The JWST Mirror Makers! This is the Real Behind-the-Scenes story.

What you'll learn

Students will learn how the mirrors for the James Webb Space Telescope were made.

Students will learn about the details of optical fabrication or what is known as "mirror making."

Students will learn and appreciate the technical challenges that were overcome in creating the JWST telescope mirrors.

Students will take a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the Heart of the world's greatest observatory.

Requirements

Students with a variety of experiences can benefit from the course. The beginner can appreciate the attention to detail of mirror making. Nerds can fully immerse themselves in the technologies. Even NASA or JPL professionals will learn about the intricacies mirror making for JWST.

Description

How many of you are following the incredible James Webb Space Telescope? Well, I think we all can agree that it is truly a marvel and it is just now revealing the Cosmos like never before. But, have you ever wondered how the heart of the telescope, it’s mirrors, were created? Now, imagine, taking a behind-the-scenes look. Well, that’s just what we are going to do with the Webb Mirror Academy Boot Camp. I will share the incredible story, both the beauty and the challenges of JWST mirror making, something you will not find anywhere else.Hi, my name is Glen Cole. I’m a toolmaker. Specifically, I make telescope mirrors. For the last forty years, I have helped create some of the world’s greatest telescopes. As I like to say, “I’m not Carl Sagan or Stephen Hawking, but I did make their telescopes!” If I may share an analogy, the Astronomers are the race car drivers and we built their Formula One beauty. We are the enablers of their amazing science. On James Webb, I was the Chief Engineer, for the mirror polishing. I was the “general” with my desk out on the optical shop floor, polishing our Webb mirrors. Let me now, share our story!

Overview

Section 1: Welcome

Lecture 1 Welcome

Section 2: Introduction

Lecture 2 Introduction

Section 3: AMSD, the Advanced Mirror System Demonstrator

Lecture 3 Lesson 1: AMSD

Section 4: Facilitization

Lecture 4 Lesson 2: Facilitization

Section 5: Beryllium Health

Lecture 5 Lesson 3: Beryllium Health

Section 6: JWST Mirror Specs

Lecture 6 Lesson 4: JWST Mirror Specs

Section 7: Optical Fabrication

Lecture 7 Lesson 5: Optical Fabrication

Section 8: Lesson 6: Anomalies

Lecture 8 Lesson 6: Anomalies

Section 9: Lesson 7: Handling

Lecture 9 Lesson 7: Handling

Section 10: Lesson 8: Metrology

Lecture 10 Lesson 8: Metrology

Section 11: Lesson 9: Grinding

Lecture 11 Lesson 9: Grinding

Section 12: Lesson 10: Polishing

Lecture 12 Lesson 10: Polishing

Section 13: Lesson 11: The Mirror Makers

Lecture 13 Lesson 11: The Mirror Makers

Section 14: Lesson 12: Secondary and Tertiary

Lecture 14 Lesson 12: Secondary and Tertiary

Section 15: Lesson 13: Finished Mirrors

Lecture 15 Lesson 13: Finished Mirrors

Section 16: Lesson 14: Bonus Lesson

Lecture 16 Lesson 14: Bonus Lesson

The course is for technologists, engineers, scientists, and in general, nerds.