About Cosmic Origins

How did we get here?

Answering this question is one of the key goals in NASA's Astrophysics Division, and is the main objective of its Cosmic Origins (COR) Program.

Here are some of the topics our work focuses on:

• Stellar lifecycles and the evolution of the elements
• Early formation and evolution of planetary systems
• Archaeology of the Milky Way and its neighbors
• History and evolution of galaxies and supermassive black holes
• First light and reionization

No one mission or observatory can provide all the answers. The Cosmic Origins Program includes telescopes that together operate across much of the electromagnetic spectrum. From the iconic Hubble Space Telescope’s groundbreaking science to the future discoveries awaiting us with the James Webb Space Telescope and more to come, Cosmic Origin's facilities help us in our search for answers to the biggest questions about our universe and its origins.

EPISODE 139 OCT 2, 2024
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 139: NASA's Cosmic Origins Program
NASA’s Cosmic Origins Program seeks to understand the origins of the universe, including the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars, and planets. In this episode, Dr. Swara Ravindranath, deputy chief scientist, and Dr. Ron Gamble, a theoretical astrophysicist, discuss their research and the program's goals. They also highlight the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences.