Presentation: Bethany Downer - "Insights & Communications from the Hubble & James Webb Telescopes"
Abstract: The Hubble Space Telescope, a collaboration between the United States and Europe, will mark 35 years of operations in April 2025. The James Webb Space Telescope, a collaboration between the United States, Europe, and Canada, is the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space. Bethany will share mission highlights as well as insights into the process that brings raw data and science from these observatories for a public audience, as well the latest breaking news and spectacular images.
Bio: Bethany Downer, of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, specializes in science and technology communication for the space industry. She is the Chief Science Communications Officer for the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes for the European Space Agency. Bethany is a member of the IAF Space Education and Outreach Committee (SEOC) and the Workforce Development-Young Professionals Programme Committee (WD-YPP). She has also conducted space science outreach to over 10,000 Canadian students and is actively supporting students and young professionals in Atlantic Canada who want to pursue careers in the space domain. Bethany has twice been named one of Canada's Top 30 under 30, and is a recipient of the Canadian Sovereign’s Medal from the country’s Governor General. Bethany was recently recognized as a Memorial University Centennial 100 Champion.