Habitable Worlds Observatory

Short teaser video for the Habitable Worlds ObservatoryMusic: "We Dissolve in Stars," Greg Townley Complete transcript available. || HWO_Teaser_Still.jpg (1920x1080) [163.7 KB] || HWO_Teaser_Still_searchweb.png (320x180) [18.6 KB] || HWO_Teaser_Still_thm.png (80x40) [2.5 KB] || 14697_HWOTeaser_Good.mp4 (1920x1080) [65.3 MB] || 14697HWOTeaserCaptions.en_US.srt [506 bytes] || 14697HWOTeaserCaptions.en_US.vtt [488 bytes] || 14697_HWOTeaser_ProRes_1920x1080_2398.mov (1920x1080) [700.0 MB] || 14697_HWOTeaser_Best.mp4 (1920x1080) [159.3 MB] ||

This video appeared at the conclusion of the Legacy of Light event on September 25, 2024. It foregrounds the importance of the Hubble, Webb and Roman observatories in enabling the Habitable Worlds Observatory, which could answer one of our most fundamental questions: are we alone?Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight CenterMusic: "Infinite Horizons," Dan Thiessen [BMI] Universal Production MusicComplete transcript available. || NASM_HWO_Still.jpg (1920x1080) [409.5 KB] || NASM_HWO_Still_searchweb.png (320x180) [35.4 KB] || NASM_HWO_Still_thm.png (80x40) [3.3 KB] || LegacyOfLightConclusionCaptions.en_US.srt [972 bytes] || LegacyOfLightConclusionCaptions.en_US.vtt [934 bytes] || LegacyOfLightConclusion_ProRes_1920x1080_2398.mov (1920x1080) [2.0 GB] || LegacyOfLightConclusion_better.mp4 (1920x1080) [455.3 MB] || LegacyOfLightConclusion_good.mp4 (1920x1080) [204.0 MB] || LegacyOfLightConclusion_YT.mp4 (1920x1080) [842.2 MB] ||

This page contains artist's concept computer renderings of a current possible design for the Habitable Worlds Observatory. HWO is a large infrared/optical/ultraviolet space telescope recommended by the National Academies' Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s.HWO will be the first space telescope designed specifically to search for signs of life and determine how common life is beyond Earth.This "super-Hubble" will study the universe with unprecedented sensitivity and resolution, giving us new insights into the solar system, stars, galaxies, black holes, dark matter, and the evolution of cosmic structure. ||

The Habitable Worlds Observatory is early in its development. Many designs are under consideration. These artist's concept animations show some of the options.HWO is a large infrared/optical/ultraviolet space telescope recommended by the National Academies' Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s.HWO will be the first space telescope designed specifically to search for signs of life and determine how common life is beyond Earth.This "super-Hubble" will study the universe with unprecedented sensitivity and resolution, giving us new insights into the solar system, stars, galaxies, black holes, dark matter, and the evolution of cosmic structure. ||

Watch this video to learn more about the Roman Space Telescope's coronagraph instrument.Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight CenterMusic: "Concept of Motion" from Universe Production MusicComplete transcript available. || Roman_CGI_Still.jpg (1920x1080) [396.1 KB] || 13325_Roman_CGI_1080.mp4 (1920x1080) [96.8 MB] || 13325_Roman_CGI_Final_ProRes_1920x1080_2997.mov (1920x1080) [1.3 GB] || 13325_Roman_CGI_1080.webm (1920x1080) [13.9 MB] || Roman_CGI_SRT_Captions.en_US.srt [2.4 KB] || Roman_CGI_SRT_Captions.en_US.vtt [2.4 KB] ||

Animation illustrating how a planet can disappear in a star's bright light, and how a coronagraph can reveal it. || Coronagraph_Still_print.jpg (1024x576) [23.5 KB] || Coronagraph_Still.png (3840x2160) [4.8 MB] || Coronagraph_Still_searchweb.png (320x180) [32.9 KB] || Coronagraph_Still_thm.png (80x40) [3.2 KB] || WFIRST_exoplanet_Coronagraph_V2_H264_1080p.mov (1920x1080) [28.1 MB] || 3840x2160_16x9_60p (3840x2160) [128.0 KB] || WFIRST_exoplanet_Coronagraph_V2_H264_4K.mov (3840x2160) [47.0 MB] || WFIRST_exoplanet_Coronagraph_V2_ProRes_4k.webm (3840x2160) [3.3 MB] || WFIRST_exoplanet_Coronagraph_V2_H264_1080p.key [29.9 MB] || WFIRST_exoplanet_Coronagraph_V2_H264_1080p.pptx [29.6 MB] || WFIRST_exoplanet_Coronagraph_V2_ProRes_4k.mov (3840x2160) [2.4 GB] ||

The Webb telescope’s mirrors are beautiful, but they are also amazing feats of engineering. || WebbMirrors_16x9_1024x576.jpg (1024x576) [215.9 KB] || WebbMirrors_16x9.jpg (4246x2388) [2.7 MB] || WebbMirrors_16x9_searchweb.png (320x180) [95.7 KB] || WebbMirrors_16x9_thm.png (80x40) [7.4 KB] ||

Scientists and engineers finish installing the primary mirrors on NASA's next-generation space observatory. || cf-1024.jpg (1024x576) [96.4 KB] || cf-1280.jpg (1280x720) [128.6 KB] || cf-1920.jpg (1920x1080) [203.0 KB] || cf-1024_print.jpg (1024x576) [92.9 KB] || cf-1024_searchweb.png (320x180) [30.7 KB] || cf-1024_web.png (320x180) [30.7 KB] || cf-1024_thm.png (80x40) [3.4 KB] ||