Planetary Science and Exploration Seminar: The Habitable Worlds Observatory – Are We Alone?

Speaker: Alison Nordt (Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Technology Center) In Person and zoom

Lunch at Mitchell Patio at 12:00 p.m.

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Are we alone? This is a question that has been asked since the dawn of human curiosity. Within the past generation we have discovered evidence of planets orbiting nearby stars in our galaxy, revolutionizing our understanding of the potential for life beyond Earth. The Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) is a next-generation astrophysics flagship mission that aims to take the next leap in this pursuit, building on the foundation laid by prior telescopes and incorporating valuable lessons learned. However, to enable the direct detection and characterization of Earth-like planets within the habitable zone of their host stars, HWO must push the boundaries of technology far beyond the current state of the art. The engineering challenges are immense, requiring the development of new technologies to achieve the ultra-stability needed to suppress the light of the host star and directly observe small exoplanets. This talk will present the motivation for HWO, the challenges and plan forward and an overview of a few key technologies including ultra-precision metrology, vibration isolation, precision pointing, and integrated modeling and performance prediction. Progress in developing these critical capabilities will be showcased, highlighting the innovative solutions being explored to address the technical hurdles and pave the way for HWO to explore the galaxy for signs of life.