Towards the Habitable Worlds Observatory: Visionary Science and Transformational Technology
About Event
Location
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center (DC) 555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20001
Contact Information
Description
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?"
The Habitable Worlds Observatory is NASA Astrophysics' next flagship mission, and builds on the heritage of the Hubble, Webb, and Roman Space Telescopes. It will deploy advanced ultraviolet, optical, and infrared technologies to identify potentially habitable worlds and analyze their atmospheres for signs of life. This same technology will empower astronomers to address fundamental, persistent questions in cosmology, galaxy evolution, the origins of elements, and our Solar System's place in the universe.
HWO has made significant progress in the past year, with NASA establishing a dedicated Technology Maturation Project Office at Goddard Space Flight Center, working in close collaboration with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Ames Research Center, and Marshall Space Flight Center. This initiative advances critical technologies and science cases, and fosters collaboration across government, academia, and industry. Results of HWO working groups will be showcased together with contributions from the global astronomy and engineering communities.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
Science
- Galaxy Growth: Cosmic Web (Intergalactic & Circumgalactic Medium), Active Galactic Nuclei & Black Holes, Galaxy Evolution
- 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
- L2 Servicing technology and commercial synergies
- Emerging Technologies: photonics, quantum sensing
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for mission development, engineering, science research
Accepted presenters will be invited to contribute to the HWO25 proceedings, which will serve as the foundation for the first HWO Community Science Book.
Additional Event Information
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FAQ, Templates, Submission Instructions:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AbP70iD4152fKBDrxNSu0uCRu83FmZPm_tuQloZrqsQ/edit?usp=sharingDeadlines:
- September 15 – Science Case Development Document papers
- September 30 – All other contributions, including Panel Summary papers and recommendations
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Video recordings are available to stream on two platforms with different features, but identical content. Use the program to locate specific talks or panel discussions.
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Tech
- Bruce Macintosh (University of California, Santa Cruz)
- Paul Scowen (Goddard Space Flight Center)
- Jean-Baptiste Ruffio (University of California, San Diego)
- Shouleh Nikzad (NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
- Brian Fleming (University of Colorado)
- John Grunsfeld (Former Astronaut and Hubble Repairman)
Sci
- David Sing (Johns Hopkins University)
- Jessie Christiansen (NASA Exoplanet Science Institute)
- Jessica Werk (University Washington)
- Yamila Miguel (Leiden University)
- Yuichi Harikane (University of Tokyo)
- Tracy Becker (Southwest Research Institute)
- Steve Finkelstein (University of Texas, Austin)
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Our Greater Universe
- Janice Lee (Space Telescope Science Institute)
- Jason Tumlinson (Space Telescope Science Institute)
- Misty Bentz (Georgia State University)
- Patrick Côté (NRC-Herzberg)
- Annalisa De Cia (European Southern Observatory)
- Steven Finkelstein (University of Texas at Austin)
- Erika Hamden (University of Arizona)
- Keith Hawkins (University of Texas at Austin)
- Lisa Kewley (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics)
- Masami Ouchi (University of Tokyo)
- Sarah Tuttle (University of Washington)
Exoplanets and Planetary Systems
- Chas Beichman (NExScI- California Institute of Technology)
- Richard Cartwright, (Johns Hopkins University -Applied Physics Laboratory)
- Ian Crossfield (University Kansas)
- Ray Jayawardhana (Johns Hopkins University)
- Yamila Miguel (Leiden Observatory & SRON)
- Caprice Phillips (Ohio State University)
- Kevin France (University of Colorado)
- Shelley Wright (University of California San Diego)
HWO Technology Maturation Project Office
- Giada Arney, (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
- Lee Feinberg (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
- Bertrand Mennesson (NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
- Ruslan Belikov (NASA Ames Research Center)
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- Christina Bindon (Space Telescope Science Institute, Community Mission Office)
- Sherita Hanna (Space Telescope Science Institute, Events Planning Group)
- Stephanie La Massa (Space Telescope Science Institute, Scientist)
- Victory Ramnarine (Space Telescope Science Institute, Events Planning Group)
- Neill Reid (Space Telescope Science Institute, Multi-Mission Project Scientist)
- Julie Crooke (NASA HQ Astrophysics Division Program Executive for HWO)
- Dawn Gelino (NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory/ExEP Program Manager)
- Raissa Estrela (NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, HWO TMPO Community Engagement)
- Rob Zellem (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, HWO TMPO Community Engagement)
- Sahand Yazdanyar (Hopkins Bloomberg Center, Senior Programs Officer)
- Emily DeYoung (Hopkins Bloomberg Center, Director of Events)
- Shamim Nyakoojo (Hopkins Bloomberg Center, Event Coordinator)
- Jessica Noviello (Assistant Research Scientist University of Maryland, Baltimore County; NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
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More information will be released in the coming weeks. Please check back often.
Upload link for presentations: coming soon.
Deadline to upload: July 22, 2025 (revisions will be accepted until July 24 at 5:00pm ET)
Consent and Release Forms: required of all speakers by July 22, 2025 - click here to access.
Required Technical Specifications for your Formatting Presentations (Non-Posters):
Sizing:
- All presentation materials will be presented on an Institute-owned, PC laptop in the auditorium. As such, only Keynote, PowerPoint, and PDF slides will be accepted.
- Please note: for security purposes and due to time constraints, connecting individual/personal laptops is not permitted – please be sure to submit your materials in the requested format by the deadline.
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The required aspect ratio for slides (for talks) is 16:9. This is the wide screen view as opposed to 4:3. The wide screen view will fill up the Auditorium screen, while the 4:3 ratio will leave a lot of white space on the slides.
Saving: When saving your presentation, please SAVE the file: LastName_HWO_ShortTitle
- Example: Smith_HWO_ShortTitle
- If you need to submit an update of your presentation, please title your presentation accordingly.
- Example: Update_Smith_NebulaChanges.pptx
Timing: Please review the online schedule for the required length of your presentation and for the Q&A session, if any. Each talk has specific guidelines/timing etc – you can find the schedule here.
Please rehearse your timing before arriving to ensure that we can stay on schedule and accomplish all of our event goals.
Speaker Tech Check/Q&A: Tech checks are optional and open to all presenters. This is a great opportunity to ask all of your questions regarding presenting at the event. Your tech check is scheduled during the break period before you present. For example, if you present after the AM break, you can do your tech check at the AM break slot. If your break is scheduled after the PM break, you can do your tech check at the PM break time slot. Just remain in the auditorium and come to the front so the team knows that you want to run your slides etc.
Speaker Seating: If you are speaking in the auditorium, a seat has been reserved for you in the front rows of the auditorium on the day that you are speaking. For example, if you are speaking on Tuesday, you will have a seat held for you on Tuesday. If you are speaking on Wednesday, there will not be a reserved seat for you on Tuesday; seating is open otherwise. This is to ensure that all speakers have quick and easy access to the stage, are nearby to be microphoned, and are on-hand to answer questions about their presentations, if necessary.
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Poster Size: Physical posters may be no larger than 46 inches tall by 46 inches wide; anything larger will not fit on the board.
Printing: The LOC is unable to print physical posters for attendees. Please bring your printed poster with you.
Poster Session Times:
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Posters will be presented in two-day segments; one group will present on Monday (July 28) and Tuesday (July 29) and another group will present on Wednesday (July 30) and Thursday (July 31).
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Please check the days your poster has been scheduled in the program on the “In Person Posters” tab.
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Posters must be up and ready to present by 10:00am on your first presentation day.
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Posters must be removed by the end of the day of your second presentation day, by 6:00pm.
Poster Session Location:
Physical posters will be set up on boards in one of two areas. Your poster room will be determined by your topic type.
- Science posters will be on the 4th Floor in the Kenney Link Room.
- Technology posters will be at "The Beach" on floor B1.
- Posters will not have assigned board locations; participants are free to place their posters on any available board within the Science and Technology rooms.
- We will provide the essential tools to hang your poster upon arrival.
Issues or questions?
Please contact the poster session co-chairs:
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Please read ALL of the following information BEFORE uploading your poster.
Due Date: Please upload your files by 11:59pm ET on Tue, July 22, 2025. Revisions will be accepted until 5:00pm ET on Thu, July 24, 2025.
Files: You are required to upload a digital version of your poster. Additionally, you may also upload a video of yourself presenting your poster, but this is optional. Important: If you do record, please ensure your recording is in the .mp4 format.
File Format:
- Presentation uploads must be in the PDF format.
- Recordings (optional) must be in the MP4 format.
File Size: The total size of your uploads must not exceed 30 Mb (your PDF poster + your optional MP4 recording < 30 Mb).
File Naming Conventions:
- Please name your files: LastName_HWO_ShortTitle
- Examples: Ram_HWO_NebulaChanges.pdf OR Ram_HWO_NebulaChanges.pdf
- If you need to update your file for any reason, please name your file to reflect this; e.g., UPDATE_Ram_HWO_NebulaChanges.pdf
Recommendation: We recommend listing your contact information on your poster (e.g., your work email) so folks can get in touch with you to have a longer conversation!
How to Export Your Poster to PDF:
How to Optionally Record Your Presentation:
Uploading your File:
Upload your PDF poster and optional MP4 recording to only one folder in the directory structure. Please select the one folder that best aligns with your poster topic (upload your poster and .mp4 recording, if available, into that folder only. Upload deadline is by 11:59pm ET on Tue, July 22, 2025. Revisions will be accepted until 5:00pm ET on Thu, July 24, 2025.
- Drive
- Slack: Please also upload your poster on the event Slack channel. You should have already received your invitation via email; if not, please contact us (emails below).
Issues or questions?
Please contact the poster session co-chairs:
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Virtual poster presenters have the option to submit adverts of their posters!
Some of the monitors at the venue will briefly display “pop” versions of the virtual posters—these are meant to be a single slide that gives a very high-level and quick (20-second) advertisement for your poster. We recommend making a single slide with your poster title, your name (and if there’s room, the names of your co-authors), and a high-level overview of your poster (we recommend to focus on one major takeaway, stated as briefly as possible!) with a graphic or two to advertise your virtual poster to the in-person symposium attendees. We also recommend adding a QR code to link directly to your full poster.
Please post your single virtual poster “pop” in the slideshow.
Due Date: Please upload your files by 11:59pm ET on Tue, July 22, 2025. Revisions will be accepted until 5:00pm ET on Thu, July 24, 2025.
Issues or questions?
Please contact the poster session co-chairs:
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We are pleased to offer a courtesy room block at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.
- All rooms are independent pay and are at the government per diem rate of $183.00.
- The hotel is a short walk from the JHU Bloomberg building. At this time, no shuttles will be provided.
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
400 New Jersey Ave NW,
Washington, DC 20001
Booking Link: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/WASRW/G-T3LSYou can also reference the group code "G-T3LS" to book rooms at our hotel over these dates using Hyatt's website, app, or reservations line at 1-800-233-1234.
Room booking cut off date (at the special rate): June 13, 2025. Note: Rooms may be available after the cut off date, but they will be at the hotel's prevailing rate.
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Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center (DC)
555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001HWO25 will take place in the HBC Theatre, which seats up to 360 participants.
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The JHU Bloomberg Center does not have parking available. Instead, attendees are invited to park at 601 Pennsylvania Avenue (parking can be booked in advance here) just around the corner from the Main Entrance.
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The call for travel support requests has closed. If you have questions, please contact the HWO25 organizers: HWO2025@stsci.edu .
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Registration is now closed. A non-interactive livestream of the plenary sessions will be available for public viewing at the STScI Research YouTube Channel. Recordings of both plenary and parallel session talks will be made available after the close of the event.
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Abstract submissions have now closed. For inquiries or assistance, please email HWO2025@stsci.edu.
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STScI will provide full refunds to attendees who cancel their participation at least 3 weeks before the start of the event. Attendees who wish to transition from in-person attendance to remote attendance will receive a partial refund. Unfortunately, refunds cannot be provided to participants who cancel after July 7th except under exceptional circumstances. Participants who need to take that step should provide an explanation that will be reviewed by the Local Organizing Committee. All inquiries should be directed to the organizing committee: HWO2025@stsci.edu.
Event Materials
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Welcome Packet
2 MB -
Program Booklet
711 KB