who was part of the missions associated with the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, stated that the scientific community in Peru is expected to have access to key observations from this scientific instrument to support the development of new discoveries.
Quispe, scientist at the
Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) —
which houses the operations center of the Webb mission, from where commands are sent and the telescope is controlled— participated in a conference with scientists at the Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP), where she shared her experience as a leader of NASA space missions, including this space telescope.
In an interview with the Andina News Agency, the
NASA scientist stated that one of the scientific goals of the James Webb Space Telescope is to carry out an exhaustive study of the entire universe
"to provide this leading information to scientific communities that are developing this type of research, and Peru can also access this with its student community of applied scientific research and institutions such as the Geophysical Institute of Peru."
Currently, the researcher remains part of the team of scientists behind the Webb at the Space Telescope Science Institute, operated for NASA, which helps humanity explore the universe with advanced space telescopes, including the future Roman observatory.
"Collaborating with it (Webb) is still my main objective. To remain in this mission and to continue contributing, in some way, to the scientific community and to humanity," she stated.
Dr. Quispe also recalled that, at the beginning of the year, she welcomed three Peruvian students at NASA's headquarters in Maryland (United States), winners of the 4th Mathematics Copernicus Olympiad Competition in New York.
"It fills me with motivation to know that, through my message or (by serving as a) role model, they have become empowered and are seeking these opportunities," Quispe stated.
"And as I tell them: the only resource to achieve success is education. For me, education is the most powerful weapon to break any cycle of poverty, social condition, or socioeconomic aspect that afflicts us from childhood or adolescence. I believe that is the driving force for change I used to get to where I am today," she noted.
Science from Peru to the world!
In turn,
IGP Chief, Dr. Hernando Tavera, told Andina News Agency that positive results are expected for the NASA sounding rocket launch campaign from Peru to materialize.
For this project, the Jicamarca Radio Observatory of the Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP) is key for the study of the equatorial ionosphere and the phenomena that occur within it.
"International collaboration has always fostered the training of professionals. The collaboration of the 1960s enabled the training of at least three researchers who went on to continue developing this field in Peru." Tavera stated.
"The current project, if carried out, will also play an important role in training a new generation of young people in the sciences," he added.
Tavera also noted that the "imagination" and "enormous curiosity" of young people should be harnessed to fuel their interest in science and help train future world-class scientists.
That is why he highlights the work of Dr. Quispe, who is a role model for promoting research, especially among women and girls, so that they become passionate about science.
(END) SPV/JMP/MVB