Dr. Mather: It will be launched in 2013.

NTB: That seems like a long way off, but it probably isn’t in terms of space programs.

Dr. Mather: That’s exactly right. There’s plenty to do between now and then.

NTB: Last year you were also chosen to head up the office of the Chief Scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. What will that job entail?

Dr. Mather: Well, it involves having a view across all of the areas of science at NASA Headquarters and in the Science Mission Directorate, providing some advice about how to make proper balance among programs, and how to take full advantage of the opportunities that exist between different programs.

NTB: Final question. Having helped solve the mystery of how the universe began, what direction do you expect your research to take in the future?

Dr. Mather: I anticipate using the new telescope – the James Webb Space Telescope – and although I haven’t written my proposal, I think that I will be working on the first object, how the first stars were made, and possibly also on searches for planets around other stars. I’ve been giving some thought to both.

If you have questions for Dr. Mather, contact Dewayne Washington at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it