"Cosmic Birth and Living Earths" Hangout on 15 July

NASA has started four concept studies of major space observatories that could launch sometime in the coming decades. One of these is the Large UV/optical/IR (LUVOIR) Surveyor.

LUVOIR is a concept for a highly capable, multi-wavelength observatory with ambitious science goals. This mission would enable a major leap forward in a broad range of astrophysics topics, from the era of galaxy formation and evolution, to star and planet formation. LUVOIR also has the exciting goal of characterizing a wide range of exoplanets, including those that might be habitable — or even inhabited.

Tune into the next "Future in Space" hangout on Friday, 15 July, at 3:00 pm ET to join the regular hosts, Tony Darnell, Alberto Conti, and Harley Thronson, as they chat with Dr. Aki Roberge and Mr. Lee Feinberg, both from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, about the science that will be revealed by a telescope intended to carry on the legacy of the Hubble Space Telescope and the technologies to make it possible.

We hope you can join us! Please bring your questions and comments for our experts. You can join us on YouTube and RSVP on Facebook.

What Are "Future in Space" Hangouts?

"Future In Space" Hangouts bring the future of space astronomy and astronautics to you every month via Hangouts on Air. With the cooperation of both the American Astronomical Society (AAS) and the American Astronautical Society (the other AAS), our hosts Tony Darnell, Alberto Conti, and Harley Thronson bring you topics that look beyond current space-astronomy research and missions and peer into the unfolding possibilities of what we may learn about the universe with members of the American Astronomical Society. We will peer into what we hope to learn about exoplanets, black holes, the early universe, quasars, and life in the universe along with what technologies might help us — and a whole host of other topics in space astronomy.

We will also explore the technology and engineering possibilities of space travel and research with members of the American Astronautical Society and probe what our future in space may look like and how we might get there. We will examine the underlying technologies of future space telescopes, orbiters, landers, and human space vehicles. We will delve into topics that help us understand the possibilities and limitations of human space flight and eventual human colonization of other worlds.

We hope you can join us each month as we bring experts from both AAS's — people who think about and plan for our future in space — to your computer, tablet, or smartphone. We invite you to bring your questions and comments and get ready to learn about the amazing possibilities for the future of space astronomy and exploration.