It is an exciting time to be planning for new opportunities in astrophysics. JWST is making discoveries at a stunning pace, but also showing that access to the wide far-infrared wavelength region between JWST and ALMA is essential to answer fundamental questions about the coupled growth of galaxies and black holes, the enrichment of the universe with dust and metals, and the role of water in the assembly of exoplanets. In recognition of the untapped science potential of the far-infrared and significant technological investments that have been made in the last couple decades, the Astro2020 Decadal Survey report called for either a far-infrared or an X-ray observatory to be implemented this decade. In response, NASA created the Probe class of astrophysics observatories, between mid-scale Explorers and Flagship-class in scope, called Probes. This is an unprecedented opportunity for an observatory to enable a broad range of astrophysics using transformational detector technology. I will describe PRIMA, the PRobe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics, that we have proposed to NASA. I will begin with a discussion of astrophysics enabled by far-infrared observations and how they complement other wavelengths. Then I will describe PRIMA’s science objectives and potential Guest Observer science, which will comprise 75% of PRIMA’s observing time. I will close with a discussion of recent advances in kinetic inductance detectors that make this science possible.

Speaker: Jason Glenn (NASA GSFC)

All 2024 Spring Colloquium talks are held on Wednesdays at 3:00 PM. This colloquium is hosted by STScI and will be held as an in-person and virtual event.

You may join in person at STScI’s John N. Bahcall Auditorium or virtually on STScI's Live Science Events Facebook page.

Please direct questions or comments to contact above. The 2024 Spring Colloquium Committee members are: Joel Green (STScI), Matilde Mingozzi (STScI), Nashwan Sabti (JHU), Kevin Schlaufman (JHU), Ethan Vishniac (JHU), John Wu (STScI).