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Using spectroscopy, which studies how matter and light interact, astronomers will now begin examining the atmospheres of large, hot worlds for evidence of biosignatures or signs of life on other planets.

The second new priority described in the report is to explore the nature of the universe and try to understand what happened in the early moments of our universe. black holes, white dwarfs and starbursts. Through projects such as the launch of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, a proposed space probe that will detect and measure gravitational waves, research in this area can help scientists discover new physics and sharpen our understanding of astronomical measurements.

The third priority will attempt to address the origins and evolution of galaxies and determine how these astronomical systems intertwined. In particular, researchers want to use spectroscopy to study the various structures that make up the environments around galaxies.

A new way to schedule tasks

The committee’s report also says that NASA should create a new program to change the way projects are planned and developed.

“Instead of proposing and approving missions that would take all these years,” González says, “we propose that NASA establish a line that we call the Great Observatories Mission and Technology Maturation Program, which designs and develops technology for missions before they are approved.”

This program will develop technologies years before they will be selected for any space missions, providing early-stage checks and reviews along the way. Usually this process starts when a mission is suggested, but this program aims to cut the time between recommendation and launch in half.

Given how much time and money it takes to develop a mission concept, a new approach could help increase the number of large-scale projects NASA can work on at one time, according to the report. González says it’s okay if they fly or not. It’s about getting the right resources and support as early as possible.

The first mission to enter the new program will be a space-based telescope that will use high-contrast imaging to provide new data on exoplanets, in line with Astro2020’s key priorities. significantly larger Hubble space telescopewill be able to observe planets that are at least 10 billion times fainter than their stars. This will profoundly change the way astronomers view the known universe.

Today, the project’s estimated cost is about $11 billion, and if approved by NASA, a potential launch isn’t planned until the early 2040s.

on the ground

For observatories on the ground, the committee’s top recommendation is to continue investing in the US Extremely Large Telescope Program, which currently consists of three elements: the Giant Magellanic Telescope in Chile, the Thirty-Meter Telescope in Hawaii, and the National Science Foundation’s. Arizona-based National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory.

Astro2020 also recommends replacing the Karl Jansky Very Large Sequence and the Very Long Base Sequence. New Generation Very Big Series, a much more sensitive radio observatory to be built by the end of the decade.

The report says the success of each of these projects is essential if the United States hopes to maintain its leading position in ground-based astronomy.

González said he hopes this year’s report will lead to new discoveries that go beyond the scientific community. “This community isn’t just astronomers,” he says. “astronomers and people who make use of astronomy.”