Leicester space experts drive forward mission to find habitable worlds
Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab
Leading space experts from Leicester are helping to drive forward a groundbreaking mission searching for signs of life in the universe.
Professor Martin Barstow, of the University of Leicester and Space Park Leicester, has been involved with the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) – the first telescope designed specifically to search for signs of life on planets orbiting other stars – since its earliest planning phases.
He is now leading the consortium of universities, research institutions and industry partners developing a UK instrument contribution to the mission.
At the end of July, Professor Barstow was also one of only four experts from the UK to be invited to speak at ‘Towards the Habitable Worlds Observatory Visionary Science and Transformational Technology’ in Washington.
The milestone event brought together scientists, engineers, industry and community stakeholders to push forward the development of HWO.
Professor Barstow said: “The Habitable Worlds Observatory is designed to search for extraterrestrial life in our Galaxy and address one of the most exciting of all scientific questions – are we alone?
“It will search for undiscovered Earth-like planets and study their atmospheres and surfaces for signals that can reveal the presence of life.
“It will be a true observatory, carrying out wider studies of the universe, telling us more about its birth and evolution and our place within it.”
The Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) Collaborative Team, which includes Professor Barstow, has also recently received the prestigious NASA Group Achievement Award for its efforts to drive forward the development of the mission.
Professor Barstow added: “HWO will not be launched until the early 2040s, but we are excited to receive this award which recognises the enormous progress we have made in designing the mission.
“This work has been carried out by a large international team and the award is a testament to the talent, dedication and collaborative nature of its members.”
The journal, Astronomy & Geophysics, has published an article by Professor Barstow this month which highlights why UK researchers should get involved with HWO and a new film showcasing the flagship mission’s aims, called ‘NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory Will Search for Life,’ has also been released. The film is narrated by John Rhys-Davies, best known for his roles in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Indiana Jones franchise.