Abstract

Preparing for JWST

Nikole Lewis (STScI)

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will be the most powerful space telescope that we've ever constructed, and it is a critical step towards answering the top science questions outlined in the Astronomy & Astrophysics 2010 and 2020 Decadal Surveys. The fall of 2016 marks the 1 year countdown before the JWST Cycle 1 Call for Proposals; the conversation is now changing from development progress to science planning. In this presentation, I will highlight the unique capabilities of the JWST science instruments and the multiple imaging, coronagraphy, integral field spectroscopy, slit and slitless spectroscopy, and multi object spectroscopic modes that the observatory offers to the community. I will also describe the upcoming science timeline for JWST as we approach launch in Oct 2018. This includes STScI plans for creating a community defined zero proprietary time "Early Release Science Program" for JWST, the timing to releasing an innovative 3D Exposure Time Calculator and simulation tools, the timing for the first General Observer and Guaranteed Time Observer calls for proposals, and the plans for organizing future workshops and science meetings to plan collaborative programs and learn how to reduce JWST data.

Invited review