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FEATURED STORY

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FEATURED STORY

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Division News

Dr. Jane Rigby Named New Webb Telescope Senior Project Scientist

06.28.2023
photo of Jane RigbyNASA has chosen Dr. Jane Rigby as the new senior project scientist for the James Webb Space Telescope mission. Rigby is an astrophysicist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, in Greenbelt, Maryland, and has worked on the mission for many years. Rigby was one of the three commissioning scientists for Webb. She also led the characterization of Webb’s science performance. She is an active researcher studying how galaxies form stars, and leads one of Webb's Early Release Science programs. She steps in after John Mather, who held the position for almost 28 years since 1995. Mather is moving on to senior project scientist emeritus for Webb at NASA.
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Overview

The Astrophysics Science Division conducts a broad program of research in astronomy, astrophysics, and fundamental physics. Individual investigations address issues such as the nature of dark matter and dark energy, which planets outside our solar system may harbor life, and the nature of space, time, and matter at the edges of black holes.

Observing photons, particles, and gravitational waves enables researchers to probe astrophysical objects and processes. Researchers develop theoretical models, design experiments and hardware to test theories, develop and operate missions, interpret and evaluate the data, archive and disseminate the data, provide expert user support to the scientific community, and publish conclusions drawn from research. The Division also conducts education and public outreach programs about its projects and missions.

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Dr. Robert Petre
301.286.3844
Director [660]
Dr. Rita M Sambruna (she/her/hers)
301.286.3966
Deputy Director [660]
Dr. Amber N Straughn
301.286.7098
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Ryan Joseph Smallcomb
301.286.4479
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Alicia R Jose
301.286.5155
Dayna Jamison
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Taalibah Muhammad
240.643.1526
Project Support Specialist [660]
Project Support Specialist [663]
                                                                                                                                                                                        
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