JWST science exploitation - preparation activities
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leicester
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
This grant will fund staff at the University of Leicester (UL), to undertake tasks in preparation for science exploitation of JWST data from the GTO and GO Cycle-1 observations. The two UL personnel are key members of MIRI-EC GTO teams and the large GO1 extragalactic survey programme 'PRIMER'. The funding will support preparatory work that we need to engage in to ensure readiness to analyse the GTO and GO1 data. This preparation work will be undertaken through to ~early-2023 (i.e. through the period of the first observing cycle during which the relevant observations will be made), including configuration, further development, optimisation and test, of reduction and analysis software pipelines and individual processing tools.
[JWST = James Webb Space Telescope; GTO = Guaranteed Time Observation; GO = General Observer; MIRI = Mid-InfraRed Instrument; EC = European Consortium.]
[JWST = James Webb Space Telescope; GTO = Guaranteed Time Observation; GO = General Observer; MIRI = Mid-InfraRed Instrument; EC = European Consortium.]
Publications
Pérez-González, Pablo G.
(2023)
Life beyond 30: probing the $-20<M_\mathrm{UV}<-17$ luminosity function at $8<z<13$ with the NIRCam parallel field of the MIRI Deep Survey
in ApJL
Mâlin M
(2025)
First unambiguous detection of ammonia in the atmosphere of a planetary mass companion with JWST/MIRI coronagraphs
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Colina L
(2023)
Uncovering the stellar structure of the dusty star-forming galaxy GN20 at z = 4.055 with MIRI/JWST
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Bik A
(2025)
Clumpy star formation and an obscured nuclear starburst in the luminous dusty z = 4 galaxy GN20 seen by MIRI/JWST (Corrigendum)
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Mâlin M
(2024)
Unveiling the HD 95086 system at mid-infrared wavelengths with JWST/MIRI
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Crespo GĂłmez A
(2024)
JWST/MIRI unveils the stellar component of the GN20 dusty galaxy overdensity at z = 4.05
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Barrado D
(2023)
15NH3 in the atmosphere of a cool brown dwarf.
in Nature
Dyrek A
(2024)
SO2, silicate clouds, but no CH4 detected in a warm Neptune.
in Nature
Ducrot E
(2024)
Combined analysis of the 12.8 and 15 µm JWST/MIRI eclipse observations of TRAPPIST-1 b
in Nature Astronomy
Pérez-González P
(2024)
A NIRCam-dark Galaxy Detected with the MIRI/F1000W Filter in the MIDIS/JADES Hubble Ultra Deep Field
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
| Description | This grant enabled participation in preparations for the scientific observing programme of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which started in c.June 2022, following the JWST launch on 25th December 2021. The world-leading science is now being published. |
| Exploitation Route | All science data become public no later than 1 year after the observations have been made and processed. |
| Sectors | Education Culture Heritage Museums and Collections Other |
| Description | The science results are of wide interest to the general public, and are frequently used in the media and for talks and presentations. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
| Sector | Education,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Other |
| Impact Types | Cultural |
| Description | JWST MIRI European Consortium |
| Organisation | Airbus Group |
| Department | Airbus Defence & Space |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | 1. a MIRI EC and UK co-investigator 2. the MIRI EC mechanical systems lead; 3. provision of MIRI Primary Structure; 4. support for MIRI calibration & test; 5. contributions to MIRI project management; 6. contributions to MIRI Science Team activities. |
| Collaborator Contribution | collaborative development of MIRI |
| Impact | 1. MIRI STM, VM, FM; 2. scientific contributions to MIRI Guaranteed-Time proposals; 3. continued study and development of force-limited vibration testing. |
| Description | JWST MIRI European Consortium |
| Organisation | Rutherford Appleton Laboratory |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | 1. a MIRI EC and UK co-investigator 2. the MIRI EC mechanical systems lead; 3. provision of MIRI Primary Structure; 4. support for MIRI calibration & test; 5. contributions to MIRI project management; 6. contributions to MIRI Science Team activities. |
| Collaborator Contribution | collaborative development of MIRI |
| Impact | 1. MIRI STM, VM, FM; 2. scientific contributions to MIRI Guaranteed-Time proposals; 3. continued study and development of force-limited vibration testing. |
| Description | JWST MIRI European Consortium |
| Organisation | UK Astronomy Technology Centre (ATC) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | 1. a MIRI EC and UK co-investigator 2. the MIRI EC mechanical systems lead; 3. provision of MIRI Primary Structure; 4. support for MIRI calibration & test; 5. contributions to MIRI project management; 6. contributions to MIRI Science Team activities. |
| Collaborator Contribution | collaborative development of MIRI |
| Impact | 1. MIRI STM, VM, FM; 2. scientific contributions to MIRI Guaranteed-Time proposals; 3. continued study and development of force-limited vibration testing. |
| Description | SUPER - Exploring sulfur dioxide in H/He-rich hot gas giant atmospheres |
| Organisation | Radboud University Nijmegen |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Responsible for leading and coordinating XUV observations (from XMM-Newton and Swift) and archival data analysis, for the exoplanet host stars, in association with the JWST/MIRI observations of the target exoplanets. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Responsible for leading and coordinating JWST/MIRI observations of the target exoplanets, and subsequent data analysis. |
| Impact | Successful observing proposals for: JWST, XMM-Newton, Swift. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | JWST article in 'The Conversation', Dec. 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Overview article on JWST, timed close to Launch |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://theconversation.com/james-webb-space-telescope-how-our-launch-of-worlds-most-complex-observa... |
| Description | JWST display at British Festival of Science |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | JWST display at British Festival of Science (Leicester, Sep 2022) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | JWST display at NAM 2022 (Warwick) public science festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | JWST display, with a focus on MIRI, at the public science festival during NAM-2022 (Warwick). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | JWST early-release-observation event (National Space Centre) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | General public and media event for NASA/ESA/CSA release of first science data from JWST. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | JWST early-release-observation event (University of Leicester, Space Park Leicester) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | General public and media event for NASA/ESA/CSA release of first science data from JWST. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | JWST filmed talks for undergrad student project |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | JWST-themed talks for a filming team from Manchester School of Screen and Film, as part of their undergrad student project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | JWST interview on ITV Central News, 26-Nov-2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Interview on JWST, close to Launch. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.itv.com/news/central/2021-11-26/leicester-school-children-among-the-first-to-visit-new-s... |
| Description | JWST talk (x2) to school work-experience students |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Presentation, and informal chats, with 2 groups (each of about 40) of secondary-school students (mainly 16-18-year olds) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | JWST talk and display at Space Park Leicester (SPL), 26-Nov-2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | JWST talk (presented twice) and display as part of SPL community open day/evening. Associated media coverage, including interview on ITV Central News, 26-Nov-2021 - https://www.itv.com/news/central/2021-11-26/leicester-school-children-among-the-first-to-visit-new-space-park |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | JWST talks at half-term events, National Space Centre (Leicester), Oct. 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | JWST talks as part of the half-term activities organised by NSC in Oct 2021. Event and talks attracted all age groups, and sparked many questions after the talks. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Space Park Leicester Community Events |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Public 'open day/evening' events for the local community: included JWST display & talks |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |