We are pleased to announce the inaugural open community event for NASA's Habitable Worlds Observatory, to be held at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC, from July 28‐31, 2025. This milestone event will bring together scientists, engineers, industry and community stakeholders to propel the development of HWO, a mission expected to usher in a new era of astrophysics discovery and address one of humanity's oldest questions: "Are we alone?"

A tentative agenda can be found here: PDF

Important Dates

• May 15 Abstract Acceptance Notifications (these are on-going and are expected to conclude by May 15)
• May 19 In-Person and Virtual Registration Opens
• May 19 Preliminary Program Released

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

Science

• Galaxy Growth: Intergalactic & Circumgalactic Medium, Active Galactic Nuclei & Black Holes
• Evolution of the Elements: Stars & Stellar Populations, Star Formation & Interstellar Medium, Cosmic Explosions
• Cosmology: Nature of Dark Matter & Dark Energy, Distance Scale, Hubble Tension
• Planetary Systems: Formation, Evolution, Architectures, Our Solar System, Exoplanet Demographics
• Search for Life: Target Stars & Systems, Biosignatures, Habitability

Technology

• Starlight Suppression: Contrast Technology & Methods
• Ultrastable Telescope and Observatory Technology
• Ultraviolet, Optical, & Near-Infrared Instrument Technologies: mirror coatings, gratings, detectors, spectroscopic multiplexing technologies
• Emerging Technologies: photonics, quantum sensing
• L2 Servicing technology and commercial synergies
• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning for mission development, engineering, science research

Accepted presenters will be invited to contribute to the HWO25 conference proceedings, which will serve as the foundation for the first HWO Community Science Book.

For more conference information, please see https://www.stsci.edu/events/HWO25

Keep apprised of updates through our HWO mailing list, save the date, and be part of this exciting journey!