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Habitable Worlds Observatory

The Habitable Worlds Observatory Science Interest Group (HWO SIG) offers an opportunity for researchers across all career stages studying signatures of life on planets outside of our solar system.

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About HWO SIG

Exploring the Universe

HWO will be the first telescope designed specifically to search for signs of life on planets orbiting other stars. With a powerful set of instruments, it will also provide a platform for transformational astrophysics.

"Inspired by the vision of searching for signatures of life on planets outside of our solar system, and by the transformative capability such a telescope would have for a wide range of astrophysics, the priority recommendation in the frontier category for space is a large (~6 m diameter) IR/O/UV telescope with high-contrast (10-10) imaging and spectroscopy. This is an ambitious mission, of a scale comparable to the HST and JWST space telescopes. It is also one that will be revolutionary, and that worldwide only NASA is positioned to lead." (Text source: Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics 2020 [Astro2020])

Learn more about the Habitable Worlds Observatory about Exploring the Universe
Stephan's Quintet is the name given to five galaxies that appear to be grouped together from our perspective on Earth. However, closer examination reveals that the well-formed spiral in the foreground is actually much closer to us and is not interacting with the other galaxies, while the galaxies appearing behind it have had their shapes distorted by each other's gravitational fields.The larger and more massive a galaxy, the greater the pull it will have on another galaxy. The effects are clearly visible in the warped galaxies of Stephan's Quintet. Some of the strange forms created by interacting galaxies are short-lived, while some areas of a galaxy may be permanently separated, or small galaxies combined together. The collision of gas and other material in galaxies as a result of these interactions triggers bursts of bright star formation.
NASA

News & Events
HWO SIG Seminar December 3, 2025

We would like to invite you to our next virtual seminar: Wednesday, December 3rd, at 10:00 am PT / 1:00 pm ET / 6:00 pm BST / 7:00 pm CET. This is an excellent opportunity to stay informed on the…

Nov 24, 2025
Topic
HWO SIG Seminar Oct 8, 2025

Agenda Topic Speaker HWO SIG Welcome Vivian U Update from TMPO Giada Arney SAG Process Karl Stapelfeldt SAG Highlight #1: UV IFU Emily Witt SAG Highlight #2: Exozodi John Debes Walk on Discussion Laura Mayorga Seminar Connection Join the Seminar

Oct 8, 2025
Topic
HWO Seminar Series on 8 Oct 2025

Habitable Worlds Observatory Seminar October 8th 2025, 10:00am PT /1:00pm ET We would like to invite you to the first Habitable Worlds Observatory Science Interest Group (HWO SIG) virtual seminar on Wednesday 8 October 2025 at 10a Pacific (1p Eastern). This seminar will feature…

Oct 1, 2025
Topic
HWO Project Update – Establishing the HWO CSIT

Building on the foundation of the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) Technology Maturation Project Office (TMPO), NASA is now establishing the HWO Community Science & Instrument Team (CSIT). This team is crucial for bringing the expertise of the scientific community directly…

Jun 23, 2025
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REMINDER: HWO SIG Leadership Application Deadline

Leadership Applications Solicited for new Habitable Worlds Observatory Cross-PAG Science Interest Group (DEADLINE: June 20, 2025) You can apply by filling out the Google form at https://tinyurl.com/HWOSIG. The Habitable Worlds Observatory is a NASA flagship mission concept that would find…

Jun 16, 2025
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HWO SIG Leadership Application Deadline Extended

Leadership Applications Solicited for new Habitable Worlds Observatory Cross-PAG Science Interest Group (DEADLINE EXTENDED: June 20, 2025) You can apply by filling out the Google form at https://tinyurl.com/HWOSIG. The Habitable Worlds Observatory is a NASA flagship mission concept that would…

Jun 6, 2025
Topic

Leadership Council

NameInstitutionProgram Analysis Group
Joe BurchettNew Mexico State UniversityCosmic Origins
Jessie ChristiansenIPAC/NExScIExoplanet Exploration
Richard MasseyDurham UniversityPhysics of the Cosmos
Laura MayorgaJHU/APLExoplanet Exploration
Fabio PacucciCfAPhysics of the Cosmos
Vivian UIPACCosmic Origins

Ultraviolet Astrophysics

Ultraviolet wavelengths are important to answer many questions in astrophysics. In addition to being sensitive to optical and near-infrared, Habitable Worlds Observatory will be sensitive to ultraviolet light.

White Papers

Lyman UV White Paper (non-peer-reviewed)

Jul 29, 2025

PDF (748.51 KB)

NESC Pilot Breathing Assessment Data

Jul 29, 2025

PDF (49.41 MB)

How to Participate

We invite participation from the community, particularly from early-career researchers and those from under represented backgrounds in astronomy. Please contact us for more information about our activities and mission, and how you can get involved.

Contact Us about How to Participate
Webb and Hubble�s Views of Spiral Galaxy NGC 628

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An illustration of Sun-like star HD 181327 and its surrounding debris disk. The star is at top right. It is surrounded by a far larger debris disk that forms an incomplete ellpitical path and is cut off at right. There’s a huge cavity between the star and the disk. The debris disk is shown in shades of light gray. Toward the top and left, there are finer, more discrete points in a range of sizes. The disk appears hazier and smokier at the bottom. The star is bright white at center, with a hazy blue region around it. The background of space is black. The label Artist's Concept appears at lower left.