AUS screens Into the Unknown: The James Webb Space Telescope

Into the Unknown: The James Webb Space Telescope, a documentary that offers an in-depth look at one of the most daring scientific missions ever attempted, was screened at American University of Sharjah (AUS) today, October 26.

The documentary tells the story of the building of The Webb Telescope, a revolutionary observatory 100 times more powerful and the scientific successor to the Hubble Telescope. The telescope is a joint project of NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency. The screening was organized by the AUS Office of International Exchange Programs (IXO).

The film contains stunning visuals showing the telescope's construction, as well as fascinating conversations with scientists and engineers who were involved with the project. Being the most powerful space telescope ever built, the Webb Telescope will observe distant objects in the universe, provide images of the first galaxies formed and see unexplored planets around distant stars. 

The movie screening was part of a program initiated by The Northrop Grumman Foundation, a leading global security company, to expand and enhance the pipeline of diverse, talented STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) students globally. 

“We are showing this film during Discover America 2016 to excite students in the UAE about STEM and provide teachers with an educational tool to increase student interest in science and technology,” said Sandra Evers-Manly, Northrop Grumman vice president, global corporate responsibility and president of the Northrop Grumman Foundation. “The film is visually stunning and a wonderful way to tell the Webb story from the view of the scientists and engineers who are making this incredible achievement possible.”

The documentary was developed as a resource for teachers, students and space enthusiasts around the world. In addition to AUS, the film was screened at a number of other educational institutions in the country.