NASA Scientist Dr. Alexandra Lockwood “Space has lots of opportunities”

Dr. Alexandra Lockwood says space is not only exciting but has lots of opportunities. She presented findings from James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and discoveries on life beyond Earth at an event hosted by Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO) and New Horizons at CYENS Centre of Excellence in Nicosia on 22nd May.

Dr. Alexandra Lockwood is a Project Scientist for Nasa’s JWST at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, MD and she currently serves as the Strategic Messaging and Engagement Lead for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters. The United States Embassy in Nicosia and the U.S. Department of State’s Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau facilitated her visit for the event.

CSEO President George Danos recalled being one of the select organisations and country for the simulcast two years ago which was had with NASA on first findings of the JWST. Danos then addressed the importance and the binding power of scientific research and astronomy with the statement “Cyprus is one island; World is one planet.”

Voice Cyprus News had the privilege to conduct an interview with Dr. Alexandra Lockwood prior to the presentation.

QUESTION: Observing your involvement in various projects overseas, is this the first project you are attending in Cyprus? Could we expect to see you here again?

LOCKWOOD: I would love to return to Cyprus, it is a beautiful country. I believe the US Embassy would like to have more space programs like this to engage the community. I know that CSEO and New Horizons are growing very fast these days and there are new connections with NASA that we will see even in the next year. I am not sure if it’s going to be me but there will be a lot of connection with NASA and growth for Space.

QUESTION: Could you tell us a bit more about the James Webb Space Telescope and this event you are attending today

LOCKWOOD: I am here to speak about the James Webb Space Telescope which is NASA’s newest and largest flagship astrophysics observatory. We launched about two and a half years ago and there have been incredible scientific discoveries since then. I will speak a little bit about them this evening. Jeremy’s team at James Webb is an international collaboration, sharing it internationally with partner countries such as those in the European Union and anywhere because the observatory was created as an international partnership amongst 14 or 15 different countries but the actual number of users of scientists who are using the telescope is over 50 countries now. In this program I am here to share about the telescope and about Space in general. It is a high import to NASA and to Cyprus from what I understand for engaging the youth and growing a knowledge economy. Space is not only exciting but has lots of opportunities. To develop this relationship is just beneficial for both of our countries as well as the individual people.

“MORE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING THROUGH ENTERTAINMENT…”

QUESTION: In line with what you have just said, we have also seen your projects within the entertainment industry. Could you tell us about the effects of bringing entertainment and science together?

LOCKWOOD: I think that I tend to break the barriers of some people’s thoughts of scientists and I very much like that because science is for everyone. And I think that entertainment has such an impact on our lives. As we saw in America, the medical drama ER came out about 30 years ago and since the show came out everyone wanted to be a doctor. So, maybe if we bring more science and engineering on to the television into people’s homes through entertainment, they will see themselves in these roles more and more and then choose to pursue that as a career.

QUESTION: What project suggestions or observations you may have for our organisers CSO and New Horizons for the encouragement of the youth?

LOCKWOOD: That’s a great question. I had the privilege of meeting with both groups. SCO has already been involved in a challenge that NASA puts out every year internationally called the Space Ops Challenge in fact they were one of the winners for local impact in 2022. New Horizons are comprised of teachers and amateur astronomers who are on the ground working with people, same as CSO who have been reaching into the community. I think that we are already seeing the organisations grow and develop. I heard there is a new telescope on the island, and I am really hoping that there is an opportunity to get people directly involved and inspire. Because when you look through a telescope for the first time and you see things out there it can change your life. I think the organisations are really coming together and as much as they are supported and embraced by the community the youth will very much utilise the resources that they can provide.

“BOUNCING ON THE MOON, SWIMMING IN EUROPA…”

QUESTION: I have a rather fun question for this one. Given that we have all the technology granted for us, we can do anything and go anywhere, what does your dream space vacation or journey look like?

LOCKWOOD: I would love to go to space but I don’t do well in small spaces so my dream would be to build a large enough space craft that I can feel comfortable on a journey to space then I would be the first person to sign up. I would like to go to bounce on the Moon or Mars to experience less gravity. Especially the Moon because that is probably the place where you have the least gravity in the entire Solar System. NASA is sending a mission to Europa which is a water world, a moon of Jupiter this year. I think it would be cool to swim in an ocean on another world. So, bouncing on the Moon and going for a swim in Europa.

QUESTION: That’s an ideal vacation indeed…

LOCKWOOD: I want to thank the US Embassy; they are very committed to the population. And honestly, I have been so inspired and impressed by the interest and the space organisations, their chief scientist whom I have spoken to, they have forward-thinking ideas and I really think that Cyprus is on the verge of really entering the space economy.

Voice Cyprus News 2024