Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Unbounded Universe: An Unforgettable Evening with Govert Schilling on the James Webb Space Telescope.






The James Webb Space Telescope is undeniably astronomy's newest darling. Launched in late 2021 as the successor to the iconic Hubble Space Telescope, this ultra-sensitive space observatory has been churning out fascinating results and spectacular deep-space photos almost continuously.

I recently had the pleasure of attending a lecture in Maastricht about this marvel of engineering, presented by renowned science journalist Govert Schilling. Titled Unbounded Universe: A Journey Through the Cosmos with the James Webb Space Telescope, the presentation took us through the rich history, complex construction, and ingenious design of JWST. Govert showcased a stunning array of impressive images, offering a breathtaking introduction to the mysterious cosmos we all call home.

I was joined by my Helios colleague Walter for the evening. The atmosphere was buzzing because the auditorium was completely packed to capacity, and there was even a waiting list to get in. It is always inspiring to see such a massive turnout of people eager to learn about the wonders of our universe.

At the end of the lecture, I managed to catch up with Govert and take a quick selfie to add to my collection from previous talks, keeping the tradition alive.

It was a fantastic evening filled with awe-inspiring science, incredible visual art from the depths of space, and great camaraderie. A huge thank you to Govert Schilling for another wonderful presentation!