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Astrophsyics

Cosmic Origins (COR) Studies

Large UV/Optical/Infrared Surveyor (LUVOIR)

The Large UV/Optical/IR Surveyor (LUVOIR) is a concept for a highly capable, multi-wavelength observatory with ambitious science goals. This mission would enable a great leap forward in a broad range of astrophysics, from the epoch of reionization, through galaxy formation and evolution, to star and planet formation. LUVOIR also has the major goal of characterizing a wide range of exoplanets, including those that might be habitable—or even inhabited.

LUVOIR is one of four Decadal Survey Mission Concept Studies initiated in January 2016. The study will extend over three years and be will executed by the Goddard Space Flight Center, under the leadership of a Science and Technology Definition Team (STDT) drawn from the community.

  • LUVOIR Mission Concept Study Final Report [PDF]
  • More information may be found on the LUVOIR website.

    The Origins Space Telescope (OST)

    The Origins Space Telescope (OST) is one of the four Decadal Survey Mission Concept Studies initiated in January 2016. The study is being executed at Goddard Space Flight Center, under the leadership of a community-based Science and Technology Definition Team.

    The OST team is developing two concepts for a Far-Infrared Surveyor mission, as described in the Astrophysics Roadmap. It will address a wide variety of topics that can be studied at Far-IR wavelengths, ranging from Exoplanets to planetary system formation to star-formation on scales both large and small to the rise of metals in the Universe over cosmic time.

  • Origins Mission Concept Study Report [PDF]
  • More information may be found at the OST websites:

    http://origins.ipac.caltech.edu/ and https://asd.gsfc.nasa.gov/firs/

    The Habitable Exoplanet Imaging Mission (HabEx)

    The Habitable Exoplanet Imaging Mission (HabEx) is a concept for a mission to directly image planetary systems around Sun-like stars. HabEx will be sensitive to all types of planets; however, its main goal is, for the first time, to directly image Earth-like exoplanets and characterize their atmospheric content. By measuring the spectra of these planets, HabEx will search for signatures of habitability such as water, and be sensitive to gases in the atmosphere possibility indicative of biological activity, such as oxygen or ozone. In addition to the search for life on Earth-like exoplanets, HabEx will enable a broad range of general astrophysics, from studying the earliest epochs of the history of the Universe, to understanding the life cycle and deaths of the most massive stars, which ultimately supply the elements that are needed to support life as we know it.

  • HabEx Final Report [PDF]
  • More information may be found on the HabEx website.

    Lynx

    The Lynx mission concept seeks to provide unprecedented X-ray vision into the universe. Lynx will directly observe the dawn of supermassive black holes, reveal the drivers of galaxy formation, trace stellar activity (including effects on planet habitability), and transform our knowledge of endpoints of stellar evolution. Expanding on the legacy of the Chandra X-ray Observatory, Lynx’s design will include excellent angular resolution, high throughout, a large field-of-view, and high spectral resolution for both point-like and extended sources.

  • Lynx Concept Study Report [PDF]
  • More information may be found on the Lynx website: https://wwwastro.msfc.nasa.gov/lynx/

    Hubble Completion

    The Hubble Space Telescope is in a decaying orbit. To prevent the hazards created by such an event, the Cosmic Origins Program Office has undertaken a study of ways to complete the mission of the great observatory, either by controlled re-entry or placement into a long life orbit.

  • Early Hubble Orbit Study HST Darmstadt Final [PDF]
  • HST Completion Plan HQ 060712 Presentation Final [PDF]
  • HST Completion Report 18 Dec Rev 1 [PDF]
  • Euro Conf Space Debris-Hull 4-19-2013 Revised [PPT]
  • Webb Unveils Dark Side of
    Pre-stellar Ice Chemistry

    An international team of astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has obtained an in-depth inventory of the deepest, coldest ices measured to date in a molecular cloud. Read more.


    COR News and Events

    See our new Events Calendar

    Current and Upcoming Events

    Continuing Call for Nominations to the Cosmic Origins Program Analysis Group (COPAG) Executive Committee. »  Details.
    4–5 May 2023
    Arcus Probe Community Science Meeting »  Details.

    Join the COR News Email List

    Program News and Announcements

    3 March 2023
    The 2nd PRIMA Community Workshop »  Details.
    3 March 2023
    Towards Starlight Suppression for the Habitable Worlds Observatory »  Details.
    24 February 2023
    International Day of Women and Girls in Science »  Details.
    24 February 2023
    NASA Awards Millions to Historically Black Colleges, Universities »  Details.
    24 February 2023
    2023 Royal Astronomical Society Annie Maunder Medal »  Details.
    24 February 2023
    NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) Application Due Date Fast Approaching | March 1st 2023 »  Details.
    24 February 2023
    Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology Post-Baccalaureate Fellowship Program »  Details.
    24 February 2023
    UVEX Community Workshop: Synergies And New Opportunity »  Details.
    24 February 2023
    Second SOFIA School »  Details.
    2 December 2022
    Join the New Great Observatories Science Analysis Group »  Details.

    Project News


    Links

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    • NASA Official: Phil Newman
    • Web Curator: Pat Tyler
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