Cosmic Origins Science
In order to understand how the Universe has changed from its initial simple state following the Big Bang into the magnificent Universe we see as we look at the night sky, we must understand how stars, galaxies, and planets are formed over time. The Universe is comprised of mostly hydrogen and helium. In fact, these two elements make up 98% of the visible matter in the Universe. Nevertheless, our world and everything it contains—even life itself—is possible only because of the existence of heavier elements such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, silicon, iron, and many, many others. How long did it take the first generations of stars to seed our Universe with the heavy elements we see on Earth today? When in the history of the Universe was there a sufficient supply of heavy elements to allow the formation of prebiotic molecules and terrestrial-like planets upon which those molecules might combine to form life?
Our big question: "How did the universe originate and evolve to produce the galaxies, stars, and planets we see today?"
Congratulations, OSIRIS-Rex!
Successful TAG with asteroid Bennu
COR News
Program News and Announcements
16 December 2020
The 237th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society, Virtually Anywhere, 11–15 January 2021, will include Cosmic Origins events. The COR AAS2021 Meeting page lists currently scheduled sessions, presentations, chats, and displays. »
Details.
16 December 2020
The Astrophysics Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate has announced a call for nominations, including self-nominations, to serve on the Executive Committee (EC) of NASA’s Cosmic Origins Program Analysis Group, or COPAG. »
Full details.
5 November 2020
ROSES Amendment 68: New Opportunity in ROSES: E.11 Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon (PRISM) »
Details.
14 October 2020
Astrophysics Advisory Committee meeting on 19–21 October 2020 »
Details.
14 October 2020
Astrophysics Explorers Announcement of Opportunity Community Announcement »
Details.
17 September 2020
NASA announces major revisions in Astrophysics Research and Analysis opportunity. Due dates remain unchanged. »
Details.
17 September 2020
NASA releases Citizen Science Seed Funding Program opportunity. Notices of Intent requested by
13 October 2020, with proposals due
11 December 2020. »
Details.
4 September 2020
Call for nominations to the Cosmic Origins Program Analysis Group (COPAG) Executive Committee. »
Details.
26 June 2020
Based on extensive feedback from the community, including the recent COPAG survey and APAC discussion, the Astrophysics Data Analysis Program will be solicited in ROSES-2021. »
Details.
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