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Updated: Oct 11, 2025
10:35
Bringing the Visible Universe into Focus with Robo-AO
Published on: February 12, 2013
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Hubble's successor, at last
1Ellen Stofan is the under secretary for Science and Research, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA, and is a member of the Space Telescope Institute Council.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|December 2, 2021
Summary
Government investment in large-scale science drives global innovation, enabling discoveries like black hole collisions and the human genome. Projects like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) promise future breakthroughs and a stronger STEM workforce.
Area of Science:
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Genomics
- Technological Innovation
Background:
- Government funding fuels transformative scientific endeavors, leading to significant advancements.
- Historical examples include the Global Positioning System (GPS) and human genome sequencing.
Discussion:
- The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) exemplifies a major international commitment to scientific exploration.
- Such large-scale projects represent strategic capital investments with long-term societal benefits.
Key Insights:
- Big science infrastructure projects yield extraordinary discoveries and technological advancements.
- Investment in science fosters inspiration and promotes diversity within the science and technology workforce.
Outlook:
- The JWST is poised to revolutionize our understanding of the cosmos.
- Continued government investment in big science is crucial for future innovation and a brighter future.
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