Abstract

Contributed Talk - Splinter ExoPlanets

Tuesday, 16 September 2025, 14:23

THE HABITABLE WORLDS OBSERVATORY: STATUS AND GERMAN PERSPECTIVES

A. Quirrenbach, J. Cabrera, F. Grupp, K. Heng, O. Krause, L. Kreidberg, L. Nortmann, K. Poppenhäger, H. Rauer
U Heidelberg, DLR Berlin, LMU München, LMU München, MPIA Heidelberg, MPIA Heidelberg, U Göttingen, IAP Potsdam, FU Berlin

The Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) will be NASA's next Great Observatory, with a launch anticipated in the 2040ies. HWO is a large (likely 6-8 m aperture) infrared/optical/ultraviolet (IR/O/UV) space telescope. Its development is driven by two main scientific goals: the detection and characterization of potentially habitable planets with high-contrast coronography, and general astrophysics with multi-object and integral-field spectroscopy. NASA has started studies of the HWO mission, including the identification of scientific drivers for the observatory, precursor observing programs needed to prepare target lists and observing strategies, and potential telescope and instrument designs. International partners have been invited to participate in HWO, for example through the contribution of instrumentation. We will present the current status of HWO, describe opportunities to get engaged in the current activities, and discuss possible options for a German contribution to HWO through a bi-lateral agreement with NASA or through participation in a larger ESA effort.