Astrophysics
People have gazed at the stars, given them names, and observed their changes for thousands of years. NASA joined the ancient pursuit of knowledge of our universe comparatively recently.
Goals
The science goals of Astrophysics are breathtaking: we seek to understand the universe and our place in it. We are starting to investigate the very moment of creation of the universe and are close to learning the full history of stars and galaxies. We are discovering how planetary systems form and how environments hospitable for life develop. And we will search for the signature of life on other worlds, perhaps to learn that we are not alone.
NASA’s goal in Astrophysics is to “Discover how the universe works, explore how the universe began and developed into its present form, and search for Earth-like planets.” Three broad scientific questions emanate from these goals.
Current Programs
Astrophysics comprises of three focused and two cross-cutting programs. These focused programs provide an intellectual framework for advancing science and conducting strategic planning. They include:
- Physics of the Cosmos
- Cosmic Origins
- Exoplanet Exploration
- Astrophysics Explorer Program
- Astrophysics Research
This is the broad sweep of science articulated in the 2001 NRC decadal survey Astronomy and Astrophysics in the New Millennium, which helped define the Astrophysics missions currently in flight and under development. (The decadal survey identifies national scientific goals in this arena and identifies priority missions for both NASA and the National Science Foundation, which has the lead for ground-based astronomy.) The new 2010 Decadal survey results have been released. Please see “The Future” section below for additional information.
Current Missions
The Astrophysics current missions include three of the Great Observatories originally planned in the 1980’s and launched over the past 20 years. The current suite of operational Great Observatories include the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), the Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO), and the Spitzer Space Telescope (SST). Additionally, the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and Kepler medium-sized missions explore the high-energy end of the spectrum and search for earth-like planets respectively.
Innovative Explorer missions, such as Swift Gamma-ray Explorer, Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE), and the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) complement the Astrophysics strategic missions. Together these missions account for much of humanity’s accumulated knowledge of the heavens. Many of these missions have achieved their prime science goals, but continue to produce spectacular results in their extended operations.
NASA-funded investigators also participate in observations, data analysis and developed instruments for the astrophysics missions of our international partners, including ESAs Integral, XMM, Herschel, and Planck missions, and JAXA’s Suzaku.
Near Future
The near future will be dominated by two missions currently in development with especially broad scientific utility: SOFIA and JWST. Completing these missions, plus NuSTAR, GEMS, and an instrument for JAXA’s Astro-H, operating the newly launched and extended operations missions, and increasing the funding for research and analysis programs will consume most of the Astrophysics Division resources.
The Future
Since the 2001 decadal survey, the way the universe is viewed has changed dramatically. Nearly 500 planets have been discovered orbiting distant suns. Black holes are now known to be present at the center of most galaxies, including the Milky Way galaxy. The age, size and shape of the universe have been mapped based on the primordial radiation left by the big bang. And it has been learned that most of the matter in the universe is dark and invisible, and the universe is not only expanding, but accelerating in an unexpected way.
For the long term future, the Astrophysics goals will be guided based on the results of the 2010 Decadal survey New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics. The priority science objectives chosen by the survey committee include: searching for the first stars, galaxies, and black holes; seeking nearby habitable planets; and advancing understanding of the fundamental physics of the universe.