Preprint
Early Exploration of the Scientific Discovery Space for the Habitable Worlds Observatory
arXiv
arXiv
08/11/2026
DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2608.11294
Abstract
The Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) is a future NASA flagship mission concept identified by the Astro2020 Decadal Survey as the highest priority for large space missions. HWO should conduct "transformative astrophysics" and search for biosignatures in the atmospheres of approximately 25 potentially Earth-like planets. To further the early-stage development of HWO, NASA formed the Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team (START). In turn, START invited the scientific community to join working groups to explore the potential discovery space. In this paper, we present 70 science cases that resulted from this process. The cases address four scientific pillars: growth of galaxies (15 cases), evolution of the elements (13 cases), solar systems in context (32 cases), and living worlds (10 cases). Combined, they would address 27 of the 30 science questions and discovery areas identified by Astro2020. The 140 observing programs needed for the 70 investigations encompass a rich variety of spectroscopic (for 87% of science cases) and photometric (for 30%) observations extending from the UV to the NIR. Additionally, high-contrast and polarimetric capabilities would be needed for 34% and 27% of science cases, respectively. Access to UV wavelengths is critical: 83% of science cases need data at wavelengths <400 nm, and 26% extend to <100 nm. In the NIR, 26% of science cases need observations at wavelengths >=2000 nm. Pursuing the full portfolio of science would also necessitate precise astrometry for planet mass measurement, rapid response capabilities, a large instantaneous field of regard, non-sidereal tracking, saturation mitigation strategies, and high dynamic range.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Early Exploration of the Scientific Discovery Space for the Habitable Worlds Observatory
- Creators
- Courtney D Dressing - University of California, BerkeleyDanica Adams - Harvard UniversityEvelyne Alecian - Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueGagandeep Anand - Space Telescope Science InstituteGiada Arney - Goddard Space Flight CenterSarah Gomes Aroucha Barbosa - Universidade Federal do CearáMartin Barstow - University of LeicesterJoanna K Barstow - The Open UniversityRachael L Beaton - Space Telescope Science InstituteEduardo Bendek - Ames Research CenterSvetlana Berdyugina - Istituto Ricerche Solari LocarnoJulie Biedermann - Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueSarah Blunt - University of California, Santa CruzSanchayeeta Borthakur - Arizona State UniversityKara BrugmanJoseph N Burchett - New Mexico State UniversityEric Burns - Louisiana State UniversityJenna M Cann - Goddard Space Flight CenterLudmila Carone - Austrian Academy of SciencesCody A Carr - University of MichiganRichard Cartwright - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryRenyue Cen - Zhejiang UniversityJean-yves Chaufray - Laboratoire atmosphères, milieux, observations spatialesPin Chen - Jet Propulsion LaboratoryLígia F Coelho - Cornell UniversityKyle Cook - University of LouisvilleNicolas B Cowan - McGill UniversityPatricio E Cubillos - Austrian Academy of SciencesAlexandre David-Uraz - Central Michigan UniversityTansu DaylanJessica E Doppel - Durham UniversityLeonardo dos SantosMeredith Durbin - University of WashingtonRana Ezzeddine - University of FloridaTara Fetherolf - University of California, RiversideTheresa Fisher - University of ArizonaLeigh N Fletcher - University of LeicesterLuca Fossati - Austrian Academy of SciencesAna I Gómez de Castro - Universidad Complutense de MadridKaz Gary - The Ohio State UniversityVaroujan Gorjian - Jet Propulsion LaboratoryYasuhiro Hasegawa - Jet Propulsion LaboratoryQiuhan He - University of GroningenNatalie Hinkel - Louisiana State UniversityKeri Hoadley - University of FloridaRenyu Hu - Jet Propulsion LaboratoryNoam Izenberg - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryEstelle Janin - Arizona State UniversityMathilde Jauzac - Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueStephen R Kane - University of California, RiversideTheodora Karalidi - University of Central FloridaÉmilie Anne Lafléche - Purdue University West LafayetteDavid J Lagattuta - University of HertfordshireÉrika Le BourdaisMary Anne Limbach - University of MichiganJacob Lustig-Yaeger - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryEric Mamajek - Jet Propulsion LaboratoryKathleen Mandt - Goddard Space Flight CenterFrédéric Marin - Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueTaro MatsuoStephan R McCandliss - Johns Hopkins UniversityMichael W McElwain - Goddard Space Flight CenterEmma Miles - University of California, RiversideMichiel Min - Space Research Organisation NetherlandsLeonidas A Moustakas - Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCoralie Neiner - Sorbonne Paris CitéElisabeth Newton - Dartmouth CollegeJames W Nightingale - Newcastle UniversityStephanie Olson - Purdue University West LafayetteColby Ostberg - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space PhysicsApurva V OzaFabio Pacucci - Center for Astrophysics Harvard & SmithsonianRoberta Paladini - California Institute of TechnologyNiki Parenteau - Ames Research CenterLynnae C Quick - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryRamses Ramirez - University of Central FloridaSukrit Ranjan - University of ArizonaIsabel Rebollido - European Space AgencyBin B Ren - Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueKurt D Retherford - Southwest Research InstituteJason Rhodes - Jet Propulsion LaboratoryIan U Roederer - North Carolina State UniversitySabina Sagynbayeva - Stony Brook UniversityEdward Schwieterman - University of California, RiversideAdam Smercina - Space Telescope Science InstituteKrista Lynne Smith - Mitchell InstituteAntoine Strugarek - Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueMegan Taylor Tillman - Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyVivian U - California Institute of TechnologyGeorgios N Vassilakis - University of CambridgeHannah R Wakeford - University of BristolSara Walker - Arizona State UniversitySiyi Xu - Gemini North ObservatoryLulu Zhang - The University of Texas at San AntonioAlejandra Aguirre-Santaella - Durham UniversityMunazza K Alam - Space Telescope Science InstituteAmirnezam Amiri - University of Arkansas at FayettevilleRamya M Anche - University of ArizonaSarah E Anderson - Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueDavid R Ardila - Jet Propulsion LaboratoryKarla Z Arellano-Córdova - Centro de Estudios de Física del Cosmos de AragónNatasha E Batalha - Ames Research CenterThomas G Beatty - University of Wisconsin–MadisonJuliette Becker - University of Wisconsin SystemEnrica Bellocchi - Universidad Complutense de MadridMark Booth - Royal ObservatoryMédéric Boquien - Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueSarah E. I Bosman - Heidelberg UniversityJean-Claude Bouret - Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueVincent Bourrier - University of GenevaMatteo Brogi - University of TurinAndrew M Buchan - University of WarwickBlakesley Burkhart - Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyJennifer A Burt - Jet Propulsion LaboratoryJosé A Caballero - Centro de AstrobiologíaSarah L Casewell - University of LeicesterFrances H Cashman - Presbyterian CollegeLaura Chin - Boston UniversityYumi Choi - NSF NOIRLabJessie Christiansen - California Institute of TechnologyFrancesca Civano - Goddard Space Flight CenterKyle W Cook - University of LouisvilleBrandon Park Coy - University of ChicagoBrendan P Crill - Jet Propulsion LaboratoryLeroy Cronin - University of GlasgowHåkon Dahle - University of OsloMario Damiano - Jet Propulsion LaboratoryWilliam Danchi - Goddard Space Flight CenterSatyapriya Das - Indian Institute of Space Science and TechnologyBrice-Olivier Demory - University of BernJamie Dietrich - University of ArizonaSteven Dillmann - Stanford UniversityChuanfei Dong - Boston UniversityDwaipayan Dubey - Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchenPatrick Dufour - Université du Québec à MontréalArika Egan - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryChristiana Erba - Space Telescope Science InstituteSteve Ertel - University of ArizonaRaissa Estrela - Jet Propulsion LaboratoryVincent Van Eylen - University College LondonVirginie Faramaz-Gorka - University of ArizonaAndrzej Fludra - Department of SpaceSophia Flury - Royal ObservatoryAndrew Fox - Space Telescope Science InstituteKevin France - University of Colorado SystemDavid M French - Space Telescope Science InstituteMarina Galand - Imperial College LondonTianmu Gao - Australian National UniversityAntonio García Muñoz - Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueMiriam Garcia - Centro de AstrobiologíaKenneth Gayley - University of IowaMegan Gialluca - University of WashingtonSamantha Gilbert-Janizek - University of WashingtonLeonardos Gkouvelis - Instituto de Astrofísica de AndalucíaKenneth E. Goodis Gordon - University of Central FloridaClémence Gourvès - Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueJonathan Grone - University of BernJacob Haqq-Misra - Blue Marble Space Institute of ScienceCaleb K Harada - University of California, BerkeleyZachary Hartman - Ames Research CenterSamantha Hasler - Space Telescope Science InstituteCalum Hawcroft - Space Telescope Science InstituteMatthew J Hayes - Stockholm UniversityAmanda R Hendrix - Planetary Science InstituteBrandon Hensley - Jet Propulsion LaboratorySvea Hernandez - Space Telescope Science InstituteErin K. S Hicks - University of Alaska AnchorageBenne W Holwerda - University of LouisvilleCarly Howett - University of OxfordZiyu Huang - Boston UniversityRichard Ignace - East Tennessee State UniversityCaitriona M Jackman - Dublin Institute For Advanced StudiesChafi Jamal - Cadi Ayyad UniversityShingo Kameda - Rikkyo UniversityTiffany Kataria - Jet Propulsion LaboratoryGagandeep Kaur - Graz University of TechnologyFinnegan KellerHabib KhosroshahiAlina Kiessling - Jet Propulsion LaboratoryKristina Kislyakova - University of ViennaOleg Kochukhov - Uppsala UniversityAnton M Koekemoer - Space Telescope Science InstituteBrad Koplitz - Arizona State UniversityJoshua Krissansen-Totton - University of WashingtonJiri Krticka - Masaryk UniversityAlvaro LabianoPierre-Olivier Lagage - Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueSteph LaMassa - Space Telescope Science InstituteErini Lambrides - Goddard Space Flight CenterAlexandra Le ResteNan Liu - Boston UniversityJoe Llama - Lowell ObservatoryEmma LoudenNataliea Lowson - Sarah Cannon Research InstituteIsabel Márquez - Instituto de Astrofísica de AndalucíaEvelyn J. R Macdonald - University of ViennaMeredith MacGregor - Johns Hopkins UniversitySangeeta Malhotra - Goddard Space Flight CenterRichard Massey - Durham UniversityErin May - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryL. C Mayorga - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryMichael McElwain - Goddard Space Flight CenterSean McGee - University of BirminghamAlexia McKenzie - DePaul UniversityAthina Meli - North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State UniversityBertrand Mennesson - Jet Propulsion LaboratoryConnor Metz - University of MichiganDrew M Miles - California Institute of TechnologyAquib Moin - Abu Dhabi UniversityMark Moussa - Goddard Space Flight CenterThemiya Nanayakkara - The University of SydneyDibyendu Nandy - Indian Institute of Science Education and Research KolkataYaël Nazé - University of LiègeMarc Neveu - Goddard Space Flight CenterEric Nielsen - New Mexico State UniversityJohn Noonan - Auburn UniversityJessica L Noviello - University of Maryland, Baltimore CountyJohn M O'MearaAntonija Oklopčić - University of AmsterdamChris Packham - National Institutes of Natural SciencesEnric Palle - Instituto de Astrofísica de CanariasEmaad Paracha - University of TorontoLucas Patty - University of BernVasiliki Pavlidou - University of CreteSarah Peacock - Goddard Space Flight CenterChris Pearson - Department of SpaceMarc Postman - Space Telescope Science InstituteAndreas Quirrenbach - Heidelberg UniversitySwara Ravindranath - Goddard Space Flight CenterSeth Redfield - Wesleyan UniversityJoe P Renaud - University of Maryland, College ParkMalena Rice - Yale UniversityJane R Rigby - Goddard Space Flight CenterGiulia Roccetti - European Space AgencyKeighley E Rockcliffe - Goddard Space Flight CenterDonna Rodgers-Lee - Dublin Institute For Advanced StudiesJael Rojas Miguel - National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics and ElectronicsMaissa Salama - University of California, Santa CruzSamir Salim - Indiana University BloomingtonEvan Scannapieco - Arizona State UniversityClaudia Scarlata - University of MinnesotaMartin Schlecker - European Southern ObservatorySteve Schulze - Weizmann Institute of SciencePaul Scowen - Goddard Space Flight CenterDarryl Zachary Seligman - Michigan State UniversityZacory Shakespear - Brigham Young UniversityEvgenya Shkolnik - Arizona State UniversityNick Siegler - Jet Propulsion LaboratoryBreann Sitarski - Goddard Space Flight CenterLouie Slocombe - Arizona State UniversityGopika SM - Purdue University West LafayetteRussell J Smith - Durham UniversityJennifer Sobeck - California Institute of TechnologyDaphne Stam - Leiden UniversityKendall Sullivan - University College LondonTakahiro SumiYudai Suzuki - International Society of AutomationChristy Till - Arizona State UniversityArmen Tokadjian - Jet Propulsion LaboratoryVasuda Trehan - University at Albany, State University of New YorkGrant Tremblay - Center for Astrophysics Harvard & SmithsonianNoah Tuchow - University of ArizonaMargaret Turcotte Seavey - Self Regional HealthcareJake D Turner - Cornell UniversitySarah Tuttle - University of WashingtonAsif ud-Doula - Pennsylvania State UniversityAnna Grace Ulses - University of WashingtonConnor Vancil - University of California, Santa BarbaraAline Vidotto - Leiden UniversityGeronimo Villanueva - Goddard Space Flight CenterJessica M Weber - Jet Propulsion LaboratoryDale Weigt - Aalto UniversityMaximilian von Wietersheim-Kramsta - Durham UniversityThomas G Wilson - University of WarwickDavid J Wilson - Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space PhysicsNicholas F Wogan - Ames Research CenterMaria Womack - University of Central FloridaMichael L Wong - Carnegie Institution for ScienceJohn F Wu - Space Telescope Science InstituteMark Wyatt - University of CambridgeJohn Ziemer - Jet Propulsion LaboratoryTiziano Zingales - University of PaduaRyan Begley - Armagh Observatory & PlanetariumEnrico Biancalani - Goddard Space Flight CenterDmitry Blinov - Foundation for Research and Technology HellasAlexandre Branco - Universidade do PortoEsra Bulbul - Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial PhysicsGuillaume Chaverot - Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueCatherine A Clark - California Institute of TechnologyJaime S Crouse - Goddard Space Flight CenterFilippo D'AmmandoAchrene Dyrek - Space Telescope Science InstituteOscar A. Flores Gaitán - University of DelawareSearra Foote - University of ArizonaCecilia Garraffo - Center for Astrophysics Harvard & SmithsonianChristopher Garry - Goddard Space Flight CenterNikolaos Georgakarakos - Institute of Astrophysics and Space SciencesArvind F Gupta - NSF NOIRLabDaniel Huber - University of Hawaii SystemBrianna Isola - University of New Hampshire at ManchesterNikhita Kalluri - Goddard Space Flight CenterAafaque Khan - University of ArizonaAmir H Khoram - Osservatorio astronomico di BolognaAdam B Langeveld - Arizona State UniversityLucie Leboulleux - Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueBriley Lewis - University of California, Santa BarbaraAnna Lewkowicz - ETH ZurichLaurent Mahy - Royal Observatory of BelgiumLiton Majumdar - National Institute of Science Education and ResearchLuigi Mancini - University of Rome Tor VergataJoice Mathew - Mount Stromlo ObservatoryDimitri Mawet - California Institute of TechnologyDavid Mouillet - Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueShantanusinh Parmar - Cornell UniversityJunellie Perez - Johns Hopkins UniversityLorenzo Pino - Arcetri Astrophysical ObservatoryAlex Polanski - Lowell ObservatoryFrancisco J Pozuelos - Instituto de Astrofísica de AndalucíaTyler Richey-Yowell - The University of Texas at AustinCleber Silva - Universidade Federal do CearáRamdayal Singh - Indian Space Research OrganisationArif Solmaz - Istanbul Health and Technology UniversityAngelle Tanner - Mississippi State UniversityKonstantinos Tassis - University of CreteLuca Tonietti - Parthenope University of NaplesLaura D Vega - Goddard Space Flight CenterAiden S Zelakiewicz - Cornell University
- Resource Type
- Preprint
- Publication Details
- arXiv
- DOI
- 10.48550/arxiv.2608.11294
- ISSN
- 2331-8422
- Publisher
- arXiv
- Language
- English
- Date posted
- 08/11/2026
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9985218543402771
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