The release of the first images from the James Webb space telescope, the most powerful ever launched into space, has renewed calls from astronomy for the instrument to be renamed.
The telescope is named after a man who was the second administrator of the space agency. During the 1960s, he was the leader of the space agency and later the US undersecretary of state.
The name of the telescope has been criticized by many scientists due to the fact that it was linked to the persecution of the gay community. The mass dismissal of gay and lesbian people from the US government service was the result of the Lavender Scare witch-hunting.
Researchers have been asking for the telescope to be renamed. More than 1,700 people have signed a petition.
As one of the people who has been leading the push to change the name, I feel a bit sad.
She said that what is now public info about JW's legacy means he does not merit having an observatory named after him.
In 1963, a Nasa employee was fired for "immoral, indecent, and disgraceful conduct" after being accused of being gay. The wrongful dismissal lawsuit was successful forNorton.
The telescope's name won't be changed. Bill Nelson said in a statement in September that there was no evidence to change the name of the telescope.
In March, the journal Nature published 400 pages of internal Nasa documents obtained through a freedom of information request. They had the option to change or set the policy.
The American astronomer Phil Plait wrote in his Bad Astronomy newsletter that a lot of people are unhappy the observatory is named after him. It's hard to want to use an instrument when you know you'll have to write about someone who worked against you.
Plait said that the observatory will produce amazing science and beautiful images. It is named after a person who is irrevocably tied to bigotry and homophobia.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
