Crowded Field Photometry and Multiplexed Spectroscopy with the James Webb Space Telescope
Abstract
The science case for the James Webb Space Telescope is often conveyed through a few broad bins; exoplanet characterization, studies of planet formation, tracking galaxy growth through cosmic time, and finding high redshift galaxies. While JWST offers tremendous scientific promise in these areas, the telescope is expected to have a very broad scientific impact across most areas of modern astrophysics. One of JWST's biggest scientific opportunities will be in the study of crowded fields such as star clusters. In this presentation, I'll give a brief status update on JWST with a focus on what tools the community will soon have to plan stellar population science programs. I will show simulated images of massive star clusters as seen through the eye of JWST, and use these to motivate what new frontiers can be enabled through powerful infrared sensitivity, ultra high resolution, and multiplexed spectroscopy.
- Publication:
-
IAU General Assembly
- Pub Date:
- August 2015
- Bibcode:
- 2015IAUGA..2233338K