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Cosmic Origins at AAS 248

The 248th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society

Cosmic Origins about Cosmic Origins at AAS 248

Location

Pasadena, California

Dates

14-18 June 2026

Community

Cosmic Origins

Type

Meeting

AAS Meeting 248

Joint AAS with HEAD and Laboratory Astrophysics Divisions Meeting

To be held 14-18 June 2026 at the Pasadena Convention Center.

The meeting will be jam-packed with great scientific content and provide ample opportunity for networking with friends and colleagues.

Meeting Overview about Joint AAS with HEAD and Laboratory Astrophysics Divisions Meeting
Pasadena Convention Center

The 248th AAS meeting (joint with HEAD and Laboratory Astrophysics Divisions) will be held 14-18 June in Pasadena, California.

Join us in the exhibit hall at the NASA booth and attend the NASA session

All times Pacific

Tuesday, 16 June 2026

TimeEventLocation
10:00am ‑ 11:30amNASA's Big Science, Small MissionsPasadena Convention Center - Conference Center, 204

Summary

The opportunity to conduct focused science programs with small missions has increased as access to space becomes easier and more cost effective. This expansion opens the door to greater community participation in space missions, including by early-career scientists and those who may not have prior experience in building and designing such missions. This session seeks to bring together experts from the suborbital and low cost access to space community to hare their mission design process and experience launching missions for dedicated science.

As we approach the Astro2030 decadal survey it is timely to start discussions on innovative ways to perform science observations cheaper and faster by leveraging commercial capabilities for missions of all sizes.

NASA's Big Science, Small Missions Session Agenda

Join the Session

TimeTopicSpeakerPresentation
10:00am ‑ 10:05amWelcomeSwara Ravindranath
(NASA GSFC)
[PDF]
10:05am ‑ 10:15amFORTIS Sounding RocketEmily Witt
(Johns Hopkins University)
[PDF]
10:15am ‑ 10:25amBlackCAT CubeSatAbe Falcone
(Pennsylvania State University)
[PDF]
10:25am ‑ 10:35amSunRISE CubeSat ConstellationJoseph Lazio
(University of Michigan)
[PDF]
10:35am ‑ 10:45amSPHEREx Medium Explorer MissionRoberta Paladini
(IPAC/Caltech)
[PDF]
10:45am ‑ 10:55amLandolt Pioneer MissionPeter Kurczynski
(NASA GSFC)
[PDF]
10:55am ‑ 11:05amNon‑Traditional Path to MissionsSanchayeeta Borthakur
(Arizona State University)
[PDF]
11:05am ‑ 11:10amBreak
11:10am ‑ 11:30amPanel DiscussionPanel Moderator: Swara Ravindranath
Drew Miles (Caltech)
Pablo Saz Parkinson (NASA HQ)
Joseph Lazio
Abe Falcone
David Ardila (JPL)
Session Recording

Thursday, 18 June 2026

TimeSessionLocation
10:00am ‑ 11:30amSpecial Session: Planning for the Future of Astrophysics and the ASTRA Initiative Pasadena Convention Center ‑ 
Ballroom G

ASTRA Initiative Special Session

TimeTopicSpeakerPresentation
10:00am ‑ 10:10amIntroduction from the NASA Astrophysics Division DirectorShawn Domagal‑Goldman
10:10am ‑ 10:25amThe ASTRA Initiative: Overview & Path ForwardJessica Gaskin, NASA HQ
10:25am ‑ 10:40amInnovation for Astrophysics Workshop: Initial FindingsKendra Short, JPL
10:40am ‑ 10:55amAd ASTRA Community Science WorkshopPeter Kurczynski, NASA/GSFC
10:55am ‑ 11:30amPanel DiscussionFrancesca Civano, NASA/GSFC

Other Cosmic Origins Related Sessions

DaySession TitleTimeLocations
Monday, 15 JuneEverything but Exoplanets: The Transformative General Astrophysics of the Habitable Worlds Observatory10:00am ‑ 11:30amBallroom G
Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope 12:45pm ‑ 1:45pmBallroom A
(Town Hall)
NASA Update12:45pm ‑ 1:45pmBallroom DE
(Town Hall)
The PRobe Infrared Mission for Astrophysics (PRIMA)2:00pm - 3:30pmBallroom G
Wednesday, 17 JuneThe NASA Astrophysics ROSES Program11:00am ‑ 12:00pmSplinter 204
NASA Infrared Telescope Facility - The Next Decade12:45pm ‑ 1:45pmTown Hall Ballroom F

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Angled from the upper left corner to the lower right corner is a cone-shaped orange-red cloud known as Herbig-Haro 49/50. This feature takes up about three-fourths of the length of this angle. The upper left end of this feature has a translucent, rounded end. The conical feature widens slightly from the rounded end at the upper right down to the lower right. Along the cone there are additional rounded edges, like edges of a wave, and intricate foamy-like details, as well as a clearer view of the black background of space. In the upper left, overlapping with the rounded end of Herbig-Haro 49/50, is a background spiral galaxy with a concentrated blue center that fades outward to blend with red spiral arms. The background of space is speckled with some white stars and smaller, more numerous, fainter white galaxies throughout.