As the term comes to an end, new academic opportunities come to life right here on campus. A brand-new exhibit at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History has opened, showcasing images from the James Webb Space Telescope and the science behind it, free for students to visit.

Curated by museum staff and University of Oregon Professor of astronomy Scott Fisher, “Capturing the Cosmos” showcases images captured by the Webb Telescope and insight into the technology behind it. Launched on Christmas Day 2021, this infrared space telescope gives astronomers a revolutionary look into space, farther and clearer than ever before.

The collection of images at the museum includes vibrant images of nebulas, exploding stars and a detailed view into our own galaxy, the Milky Way. In addition to the images, the museum exhibit has interactive elements, including videos explaining the telescope’s impact and workstations that explain light refraction.

The collection features images comparing the previous leading telescope, Hubble Space Telescope, with the James Webb Space Telescope. Hubble operates using visible wavelengths, while Webb uses infrared, producing a much higher visibility in images and a further range of sight.

One infographic reads, “Webb allows us to look deep into dust clouds to study how stars and planets form. Infrared light — what Webb can see — easily pierces through dust.” Alongside the text, there are two images of the Pillars of Creation, comparing the Hubble and Webb telescopes’ visibility, showcasing just how far science has come with this technological development.

“Webb is going to push forward astronomy for a whole generation, just like Hubble did. We’re gonna get to see the same objects we’ve seen, but in different wavelengths and with exquisite resolution. The best resolution we’ve ever seen this stuff in,” Fisher said.

Fisher has been teaching at UO for 12 years and is one of the most beloved astronomy professors on campus, according to students. He was previously a staff scientist at a telescope in Hilo, Hawaii, and is now the director at Pine Mountain Observatory, located in Bend, Oregon and operated by the UO. Fisher has received a grant this year, allowing him to spend time working at the observatory, as well as consulting on exhibits like “Capturing the Cosmos.”

“I really appreciate that we live in a community that values scientific knowledge, and we want to be able to share it with folks,” Fisher said. “By seeing these images that draw you in because they’re beautiful…in that beauty, there are these incredibly powerful statements about our place in the universe and how we’re connected to it.”

The museum exhibit features a quote on the wall from Dr. Carl Sagan, prolific astronomer and science communicator. The quote reads, “The cosmos is within us. We are made of star stuff.”

This quote captures the thought-provoking nature of “Capturing the Cosmos.” Showcasing the wonders of space through Webb’s images, the museum exhibit encourages visitors to reflect on their place in the universe and the profound nature of space itself.

The exhibit will be open until March 28, 2025.