Tue. 12/21 - Why the Webb Telescope Launch Is Freaking Out Astronomers

The James Webb Space Telescope is launching on Friday. Here’s what to expect, and why astronomers are so stressed out about it. Plus, Scotland may soon be issuing a three centuries overdue pardon to victims of its many witchcraft trials. And when the snowstorms come this season, your town might just be de-icing the roads with beet juice.

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Links:

• Webb Telescope Approaches Launch, With an Eye Toward Cosmic Origins (NY Times)
• James Webb Space Telescope: how our launch of world's most complex observatory will rest on a nail-biting knife edge (The Conversation)
• Watch this space: New telescope to unlock mysteries of the cosmos (NBC News)
• Astronomers are freaking out over the launch of the James Webb telescope. (Slate)
• NASA refuses to rename James Webb Space Telescope (NPR)
• NASA Sets Coverage, Invites Public to View Webb Telescope Launch (NASA)
• Witches of Scotland: Bill to be brought forward to pardon women and others convicted of witchcraft (The Scotsman)
• Women executed 300 years ago as witches in Scotland set to receive pardons (The Guardian)
• UN adopts landmark resolution condemning witchcraft accusations (Humanists International)
• March episode about witches & ale wives (Kottke Ride Home)
• To Beat Winter, Cities Fight Back, With Beets (Bloomberg)
• Kottke.Org
• Jackson Bird on Twitter

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