The Intrepid Museum will present a Virtual Astronomy Live program on Thursday, October 21 from 5:30PM to 7:00PM EST. This free event will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope launch.

The James Webb Space Telescope is an orbiting infrared observatory that will complement and extend the legacy of earlier space-based telescopes to push the boundaries of human knowledge even further, from the first luminous glows after the Big Bang to the evolution of our own solar system.

As the James Webb Space Telescope is scheduled to launch in winter 2021, the team at NASA is preparing to begin science operations over the next several months. Viewers will hear from Webb team members as they provide an inside look at how they are getting ready for the launch and commissioning, which will culminate with the release of Webb’s first scientific images in summer 2022.

A Halloween-themed pre-show will take place at 5:00pm EST with an interactive demonstration from an Intrepid Museum educator. Participants can find out what eerie creatures lurk in the night sky as we explore the astronomical origins of Halloween and share a few haunting tales of unexplained phenomena witnessed by astronauts!

The event is hosted and co-produced by John “Das” Galloway, founder of the Kerbal Space Academy.

The event is suitable for all ages. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/intrepid-museum-presents-virtual-astronomy-live-tickets-176372363487

Virtual Astronomy Live programs take place on a monthly basis on the third Thursday of every month. The next iteration on November 18 will feature the hidden heroes of space research.