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Silver Spring Woman Who Heads Webb Telescope Team Wins Presidential Medal of Honor

Jane Rigby, of Silver Spring, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom Friday.

Rigby is an astronomer and “chief scientist of the world’s most powerful telescope,” according to a White House press release, which also referred to her as a prolific researcher.”

She works at Goddard Space Flight Center as a senior project scientist with the James Webb Space Telescope.

The day after she received the nation’s highest civilian honor from President Joe Biden, she posted on social media, “I woke up Saturday and thought I’d dreamed it. Then took a long walk along the creek and let it all settle in my brain.”

She also posted, “I’m so proud to be the scientific leader of the *Amazing* Webb team. Webb is showing us our place in the cosmic story, and reminds humanity of what we can achieve when we work together. So humbling to meet these amazing Medal of Freedom awardees.”

Councilmember Evan Glass posted that Rigby “embodies the American spirit of adventure and wonder.”

 

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