ExoPAG Overview

1. REMINDER: Roman Coronagraph Community Participation Program (CPP) White Papers: Town Halls (July 1, July 8, 2025) and ExoPAG White Paper Coordination Website (White Paper Submission Deadline: August 7, 2025)

The Community Participation Program (CPP) team solicits short white papers from the worldwide science community describing both technology and science observing ideas for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Coronagraph Instrument.

The deadline for white paper submission is August 7, 2025

As a reminder (see details in 5/30/2025 ExoPAGannounce email):

"NASA has created the Community Participation Program (CPP) to prepare for and execute [Roman Space Telescope] Coronagraph observations. In order to engage the coronagraph / exoplanet community in the definition of this observing program, the CPP is sponsoring a call for White Papers to collect concepts for technology demonstration and scientific exploration observations with the Coronagraph, with a submission deadline of August 7, 2025. All members of the science and technology community, across all career stages, positions, and types of institutions, are encouraged to submit their technology and science investigation ideas. White papers will be reviewed by members of the CPP team and will be used to inform the planning of Roman Coronagraph observations. Coronagraph observations are not planned to be part of the Roman General Investigator Program, so this white paper call is intended to provide the main avenue for the community to influence observational priorities. Unless authors opt out, submitted white papers will be published on the CPP website."

The full solicitation for this white paper call, as well as resources for authors, can be found at: https://www.romancoronagraph.space/white-papers-2025

The Roman Coronagraph CPP scheduled 1-hour online town halls to answer community questions regarding this white paper call. The times and dates of the town halls are:

• General town hall: Tuesday June 17, 23.00 UTC [note: recording and slides available], 4 pm PDT / Wednesday July 18, 8 am JST.
• Dedicated town hall for early career researchers: Tuesday July 1, 17.00 UTC, 1 pm EDT / 10 am PDT
• General town hall: Tuesday July 8, 14.00 UTC, 3 pm BST / 4 pm CEST / 10 am EDT / 7 am PDT

For more details, zoom links, and slides and recordings of the town halls, please see: https:/www.romancoronagraph.space/white-papers-2025

The ExoPAG has set up a website to help with coordination of community white paper: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/Roman-CPP/

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2. ExoPAG SAG 25: Technosignature Proposal Survey (Feedback requested by July 24, 2025)

“Hello members of the ExoPAG!

I am messaging you on behalf of the Technosignature SAG. The Technosignature SAG (operating through the ExoPAG) is a group of volunteer experts in technosignatures/SETI who are producing a report to NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program. This report will contain the results of its analysis on how NASA can better integrate technosignature searches into its portfolio.

I wanted to reach out with an opportunity to provide data for the report. One of our working groups is currently collecting data on how and where technosignature proposals are currently being submitted, with an eventual goal of suggesting changes to the proposal process to make technosignatures a more integrated and rigorous part of NASA's solicited science programs.

We want to invite you to fill out a survey about your experiences with submitting technosignature proposals (https://tinyurl.com/TechnosigProposalSurvey). We would like to hear your perspective even if you have never led a technosignature proposal, or even submitted one. We are looking for responses about US-based funding sources, especially those provided by NASA. The survey should take only 5-10 minutes to complete.

Please let us know if you have any questions. We intend to close the form on Thursday, July 24th, so please make sure you have submitted your feedback by that date.

Thank you, we look forward to hearing your experiences!
Sofia Sheikh"

• ExoPAG SAG 25: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/sag/#SAG25
• Proposal Survey Form: https://tinyurl.com/TechnosigProposalSurvey

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3. HoRS3S Conference Announcement (July 6-10, 2026, Granada, Spain)

HORS3S: High-Resolution Exoplanet and Stellar Characterization Today and in the ELT Era
Escuela Tecnica Superior de Arquitectura, Granada, Spain
July 6-10, 2026
https://sites.google.com/view/hors3s/home

SADDLE UP and SAVE THE DATE for the third edition of the "High-Resolution Exoplanet and Stellar Characterization" conference series!

HoRS3S will take place in the magical city of Granada (Spain) between July 6 and 10, 2026.

Two years after the second HoRSE workshop in Berlin, experts on all aspects of high-resolution spectroscopy are invited to gallop into southern Spain and discuss the latest developments in the field of exoplanet and stellar characterization. This year's edition will rein in strongly on next-generation facilities such as the ELT, synergies with JWST and solar instrumentation, and the latest on observations, data analysis and modeling. Expect lively discussions and scientific exchange that’s anything but a one-horse race.

The venue, the School of Architecture of the University, is located in the beautiful old Jewish quarters ("Barrio del Realejo") just immediately below the magnificent Alhambra palace. We know Granada heats up in summer, but fear not — we’ve planned for plenty of water to keep the whole stable cool and hydrated.

Save the date and mark your calendars!

You can now pre-register on the meeting website (https://sites.google.com/view/hors3s/home) to stay informed about upcoming deadlines, Keynote speakers, and more. Don't miss the chance to be part of the herd!

All the best,
Rafa (on behalf of the SOC)

SOC: Megan Bedell, Matteo Brogi, Andrea Chiavassa, Elisa Delgado Mena, Laura Kreidberg, Karin Lind, Christophe Lovis, Rafael Luque, Paul Molliere, Vivien Parmentier, Julia Seidel, Yapeng Zhang

PS: A month after the conference, on August 12, a total solar eclipse will be visible from northern Spain (https://eclipse-spain.es/index.php/en/total-solar-eclipse-2026-august-12). This will be the first total solar eclipse visible in mainland Europe since 1999, so it is a great opportunity to bridle both work and leisure in a single unforgettable trip.

HORS3S Website: https://sites.google.com/view/hors3s/home

Pre-Registration: https://tinyurl.com/HoRS3SPreRegistration

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4. IAUS 404: Advancing the Search for Technosignatures (March 2-6, 2026)

This online symposium seeks to advance the search for technosignatures by inviting contributions on any theoretical, instrumental, observational, or data analysis ideas for characterizing and detecting technosignatures. The goal of this symposium is to foster discussion on ways to advance the search for technosignatures by leveraging existing missions and data archives.

You can visit the website for the meeting now to sign up for updates: https://iaus404.bmsis.org/

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5. REMINDER: The Solar System in Context (September 29 - October 2, 2025; Abstract Submission Deadline July 11, 2025)

The Solar System in Context
September 29 – October 2, 2025
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA

https://noirlab.edu/science/events/websites/solar-system-in-context-2025

The Solar System in Context - Final call for abstracts!

The 2025 NOIRLab Science Conference, The Solar System in Context, which will take place on 29 September - 2 October in Tucson, Arizona. The conference will be focused on the interdisciplinarity of the formation and evolution of the Solar System, exoplanetary systems, and their stars.

Main topics include: disks; stellar evolution; planet-star connections; (exo)planets; planetary demographics; habitability; planet formation, migration, & evolution; rocky small bodies & (exo)moons; active asteroids & (exo)comets; interstellar objects; instrumentation & software tools, and more.

The abstract deadline is approaching! We welcome abstracts submitted using the abstract submission form or through the conference website: https://noirlab.edu/solar-system-in-context. The deadline for submitting abstracts is 11 July 2025.

Registration for the conference can be completed using the registration form or through the website. In-person and virtual attendance options are available. The registration deadline is 15 September.

Important Dates:

• 11 July - Abstract Submission Closes
• 15 September - Registration Deadline

Contact: solarsystemcontext2025@noirlab.edu

For links to the registration form and abstract submission form, visit: https://noirlab.edu/science/events/websites/solar-system-in-context-2025

1. New ExoPAG Chair and Executive Committee Members

"Dear All,

We are pleased to announce a new Chair for the ExoPAG Executive Committee (EC) beginning in June 2025, Ian Crossfield (U. Kansas). We thank Ian for accepting the invitation to serve in this leadership position, and look forward to working with Ian in this capacity over the next three years. We also extend an enthusiastic thank you to our outgoing Chair, Ilaria Pascucci (U. Arizona) for serving as an outstanding leader of the EC since 2022 – thank you Ilaria!!

We are also very pleased to announce five new members of the ExoPAG Executive Committee (EC) for 2025:

• Aparna Bhattacharya (U. Maryland College Park)
• Renyu Hu (JPL)
• Avi Mandell (NASA GSFC)
• Ji Wang (Ohio State University)
• Schuyler Wolff (U. Arizona)

Please join me in welcoming Aparna, Renyu, Avi, Ji, and Schuyler. We are grateful that they have accepted the invitation to join the EC for their three-year terms.

We would also like to recognize the significant contributions of departing Executive Committee members:

• Ian Crossfield (U. Kansas)
• Diana Dragomir (U. New Mexico)
• Samson Johnson (JPL)
• Erin May (JHU/APL)
• Bertrand Mennesson (JPL)

Please join me in thanking them for their service over the years.

Sincerely,

John Wisniewski

ExoPAG Executive Secretary, NASA HQ

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2. Input Requested for 2026 ExEP Science Gap List (Input Requested by September 30, 2025)

The NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP) is seeking community input on the ExEP Science Gap List (SGL) through September 30, 2025, with the goal of providing an updated version in early 2026:

The current 2025 version of the SGL is posted on the ExEP Program Science page: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/internal_resources/3193/ExEP_Science_Gap_List_2025.pdf

The Science Gap List (SGL) curates from community inputs program “science gaps”, which are defined as the difference between knowledge needed to define requirements for specified future NASA exoplanet missions and the current state of the art, or knowledge which is needed to enhance the science return of current and future NASA exoplanet missions. This gap list is a resource for the broader community, pointing to where focused science investigations are needed over the next 3-5 years in support of community ExEP goals. The ExEP Science Gap List represents activities and investigations that will advance the goals of NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program, and provides brief summaries in a convenient tabular format. The ExEP Science Gap list is meant to assist proposers in describing the relevance of their work to Program goals as they respond to SMD ROSES and mission observing proposal solicitations. All ExEP approaches, activities, and decisions are guided by science priorities, and those priorities are presented and summarized in the ExEP Science Gap List.

UPDATE: You can submit your suggestions either anonymously or with your name and email via the new Google form at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/18-QkF1PXc8YgZ-X3KLy18MmgcwRmeNBuLYa9up-2wys/

For any questions on the ExEP Science Gap List, you are welcome to contact ExEP scientists Karl Stapelfeldt (Karl.R.Stapelfeldt@jpl.nasa.gov) & Eric Mamajek (Eric.Mamajek@jpl.nasa.gov).

The ExEP Exoplanet Program Science documents are available at: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/science-overview/

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3. 2025 ExoExplorer Science Seminar Series (June 13, 2025, 2:00pm-3:00pm EDT / 11:00am-12:00pm PDT)

The final session of the 2025 ExoExplorer Science Seminar Series will take place on Friday, June 13, 2025, from 11 AM - 12 PM Pacific / 2 PM - 3 PM Eastern.

The June speakers are:

Samantha Hasler (MIT)
Title: Using Orbital Phase and Atmospheric Composition to Discriminate Reflected Light Observations of Exoplanets

Abstract: Future direct imaging missions, including the Roman Space Telescope and the Habitable Worlds Observatory, will enable the detection of exoplanets in reflected light. However, these observations may present unique challenges including planet-detection confusion in multi-planet systems and uncertainties in characterization. I will present two of my PhD projects which are focused on addressing these issues. First, I address the planet-detection confusion problem by augmenting a “deconfusion” algorithm with planetary phase variation and photometric properties to support orbit differentiation in multi-planet systems. This work demonstrates the necessity of combining relative astrometry and photometry to reduce confusion rates. Second, I will present an analysis of high phase angle observations of Uranus from the New Horizons mission to provide a ground-truth for interpreting exo-ice-giant observations. Together these efforts support robust, informed expectations of exoplanet brightness and atmospheric variations, which are critical for informing yield modeling, instrument design, atmospheric modeling, and observation scheduling for future direct imaging missions.

and

Ben Cassese (Columbia University)
Title: The Challenges of Detecting Planetary Oblateness, and TESS's View of the Solar System

Abstract: In this somewhat disjointed two-part talk, I'll give an overview of the two in-progress halves of my thesis work. In the first half I'll discuss the prospects for and our attempts to detect planetary oblateness, or deviations from spherical symmetry, with current space-based facilities like JWST. Though this measurement is technically feasible, the miniscule size of the signal necessitates careful consideration of modeling choices, especially that of which limb darkening parameterization to use. I will propose a new framework for this: fitting directly in stellar parameters such as effective temperature and metallicity, rather than a potentially non-physical law. In the second half, I will discuss my work on using TESS to discover Trans-Neptunian Objects and how to quantify the impact of unresolved solar system objects on exoplanet transit searches.

Seminar Link: https://caltech.zoom.us/j/88260962807?pwd=s7GH7jVBNRNZb2aVFeAZCR35Gjm6El.1
Meeting ID: 882 6096 2807
Passcode: 697257

For more information about the ExoExplorers program, visit our website here: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/exoexplorers

And please feel free to share this talk announcement at your local institution!

Cheers,
Jennifer Burt

[on behalf of the ExoExplorers Organizers]

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4. Science Mission Directorate Budget Virtual Community Meeting (June 12, 2025, 12:00pm-1:00pm EDT, 9:00am-10:00am PDT) - POSTPONED

June 12th NASA Science Community Meeting Postponed

The NASA Science Community Meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 12 has been postponed, allowing time for all NASA Mission Directorates to brief internal staff and hold discussions on the FY26 President’s Budget Request. NASA has posted information and updates related to the FY26 President’s Budget Request here. NASA is in the process of having leaders at Centers and Mission Directorates brief their employees internally on the proposed budget. SMD has already engaged with the headquarters staff and staff located at field centers, and will continue to engage with more field centers in support of the science mission.

NASA appreciates the questions that have been submitted to hear what topics are important to the SMD community. These inputs will help NASA make informed decisions over the coming months. Questions may continue to be submitted to the online submission form, and SMD looks forward to connecting with the community and answering questions soon.

Katherine Rohloff
katherine.a.rohloff@nasa.gov

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NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) will hold a virtual community meeting with Associate Administrator Nicky Fox and her leadership team at 12:00 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, June 12th. Members of SMD, the science community, academia, the media, and the public are invited to participate by joining using the WebEx link below.

https://nasaevents.webex.com/nasaevents/j.php?MTID=mc284b86ff2253a2c80528c6a802676e5

When prompted after clicking the link, please use event number 2820 609 9132, followed by event password 9EjmaURnS87.

To join by a video system (that is, equipment used to display content in a conference or multimedia room) or telephone (including for audio only)

Dial:
+1-415-527-5035 United States Toll

or
+1-312-500-3163 United States Toll (Chicago)

When prompted, please use event number 2820 609 9132, followed by event password 93562876. If prompted, use access code: 282 060 99132

No-advance-reservation or registration is required. Attendees will be joined to the meeting on a first-to-connect (or first-to-dial-in) basis. If you are unable to join the WebEx, we will be live streaming the SMD Community Meeting to YouTube.

Submit questions and/or vote up questions already posted here.

Users of the meeting’s question portal must provide their first and last name and organization (or indicate unaffiliated). Question portal users may submit questions or simply vote up questions submitted by others. Submitted questions may be edited for clarity or duplication to ensure NASA leaders can answer as many questions as possible or practical.

A recording of the SMD Budget Community Meeting will be available later that day at the agency website.

Katherine Rohloff
katherine.a.rohloff@nasa.gov

Displayed URLS for Live Event Hyperlinks

• Question Portal: https://nasa.cnf.io/sessions/rc5t/#!/dashboard
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NASAScience/streams

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5. REMINDER: "From Transits to Trends: The Next Decade of Long-Period Exoplanets” Workshop (Registration Deadline June 13, 2025)

From Diana Dragomir (UNM):

"This workshop will be held August 5 - 8, 2025, at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM. The program is now posted and registration is still open until June 13.

Details and logistics information can be found at the workshop website: https://transitstotrends.github.io/

—SOC Chair: Diana Dragomir (UNM) exoplanets@unm.edu "

1. Leadership Applications Solicited for new Habitable Worlds Observatory Cross-PAG Science Interest Group (DEADLINE EXTENDED: June 20, 2025)

The Habitable Worlds Observatory is a NASA flagship mission concept that would find Earth-like exoplanets and transform general astrophysics. Would you be interested in helping NASA form a Science Interest Group in support of this mission concept?

This group will function as a point of connection between NASA and the astrophysics community. We invite interested scientists to apply to lead this Science Interest Group.

The Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) Technology Maturation Project and its upcoming Community Science and Instrument Team (CSIT) intends to establish a working relationship with the broader astronomical community through the three astrophysics Program Analysis Groups (Cosmic Origins, Exoplanet Exploration and Physics of the Cosmos). The coordinating body for this relationship is intended to be a new Science Interest Group that will serve as a single point of contact with all three Program Analysis Groups and the HWO Technology Maturation Project.

The NASA Astrophysics Program Offices are seeking self-nominations from interested community members to serve on the steering committee of the new SIG. The activities of the SIG can include completing a Terms of Reference (i.e. a SIG Charter), organizing a virtual seminar series where both community members and HWO Project representatives are presenting, advocating for community-driven analyses, and organizing face-to-face meetings. A leadership council consisting of approximately three to six members, representing the three NASA Astrophysics Program Analysis Groups, is envisioned.

The anticipated time commitment for this position would be expected to be about five hours per month, after an initial set-up period.

You can apply by filling out the Google form at https://tinyurl.com/HWOSIG.

The application deadline has been extended to June 20, 2025.

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2. Call for Community Input for Roman Wide Field Instrument First Look Observations (Response deadline August 11, 2025)

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is NASA’s next flagship mission. When fully operational in 2027, Roman will provide the astronomical community with an unparalleled opportunity to conduct high-resolution, wide-field surveys at near-infrared wavelengths. To debut Roman to the world, the Roman Project will pursue a program of First Look Observations which will be among the first images and spectra taken by the mission during observatory commissioning. These observations are intended to have high impact and mass appeal for a public audience. They should also be of scientific value.

The Roman Project welcomes the collective expertise of the astronomical community and invites suggestions for First Look Observations using the Wide Field Instrument (WFI) by August 11, 2025 at 5 pm Eastern time. These observations should showcase key capabilities of the WFI and provide compelling demonstrations of its observing modes. Your input will be a valued contribution to Roman’s mission and will be reviewed and considered by a Project-developed Implementation Team. Final selection of WFI First Look Observations will be driven by multiple factors that include public appeal, a balanced demonstration of capabilities, and observational constraints imposed by commissioning.

Respondents are requested to provide high-level input on candidate First Look Observations. This includes the broad science category of the target, target names or designations, sky locations or coordinates, general information on the observation plan, and a short description of why the target is a good candidate for WFI First Look Observations.

The Roman Project anticipates allocating approximately 12 to 24 hours of commissioning time for First Look Observations and prioritizing 3 to 5 programs. To aid in preparing First Look Observation responses, a website with Frequently Asked Questions and an example response, along with key technical and observation planning information, are provided in the resources linked below.

WFI First Look Observation Responses are requested by August 11, 2025 at 5 pm Eastern time. Submit your suggestions here: WFI First Look Observations Community Response Webform

Resources

• WFI First Look Observations website with FAQ and example response
• Roman Observatory and Wide Field Instrument (WFI) technical resources
• Core Community Survey science and Roman Observations Time Allocation Committee recommendations

A separate White Paper call issued by the Coronagraph team solicits community input on Coronagraph observations. Full details are provided in the White Paper call available here: Roman Coronagraph Call for White Papers