The NAU Review — New year, new telescope, elephant neighbors and mapping redwood genomes

❄️ Jan. 7, 2022 ❄️

On Christmas Day, astronomers and planetary scientists around the world watched as a telescope 20 years in the making was launched into space. NASA called the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope one of the most exciting developments in astronomy in the 21st century. For the astronomers, planetary scientists and students at NAU, the launch of this massive observatory, and the information it will transmit back to Earth, is an important step in advancing our understanding of the solar system.

What clues to their famous longevity live in the redwood’s DNA? Scientists, including forestry professor Amanda De La Torre, are examining the genomes of coast redwoods and giant sequoias to look for genetic clues that determine how long-generation conifers live and what they’ll need to survive in the face of climate change.