What are the key scientific challenges for astronomy and astrophysics in the next decade? Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s, the National Academies' latest decadal survey, identifies the most compelling science goals and presents an ambitious program of ground- and space-based activities for future investment.  The report recommends critical near-term actions to support the foundations of the profession as well as the technologies and tools needed to carry out the science.

Precursors to Pathways: Science Enabling NASA Astrophysics Future Great Observatories

Using community inputs from both the April and October Precursor Science Workshops, the Chief Scientists from the Cosmic Origins, Exoplanet Exploration, and Physics of the Cosmos Programs distilled a set of science gaps that would help define/refine important parameters for Astro 2020's three recommended future great observatories. This set was reviewed and edited by the Astrophysics Division at NASA HQ, producing a precursor science gap list.

This distilled list represents the items discussed at the workshops and is not considered to represent all possible precursor science investigations. As with all proposals, those outside of the identified Gaps list should refer to the solicitation and describe how scientific progress in the areas being proposed will either reduce the design and development risk for one or more of these future observatories or help to define the requirements such missions must meet to enable transformative discoveries.

https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/programs/exep/resources/exoplanet-meetings/astro2020/astro2020-precursor-sci-workshop1

https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/programs/exep/resources/exoplanet-meetings/astro2020/astro2020-precursor-sci-workshop2

https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/programs/exep/resources/exoplanet-meetings/astro2020/astro2020-precursor-sciws1

https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/programs/exep/resources/exoplanet-meetings/astro2020/astro2020-precursor-sciws1-agenda

https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/programs/exep/resources/exoplanet-meetings/astro2020/astro2020-precursor-sciws2-agenda

https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/programs/exep/resources/exoplanet-meetings/astro2020/astro2020-precursor-sciws2-roses-call

More Information

The decadal survey was publicly released on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021, and followed by a public briefing webinar. During the webinar, the decadal survey co-chairs discussed the key findings and recommendations from the report and took questions from the audience.

Learn more about Astro 2020 by exploring the Interactive Report Overview

• See the Events page for further information.
• Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics 2020 (Astro2020)Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s Full PDF [21.9MB]
• Interactive Report Overview