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OUTCOME 2.4: DISCOVER HOW THE UNIVERSE WORKS, EXPLORE HOW IT BEGAN

AND EVOLVED, AND SEARCH FOR EARTH-LIKE PLANETS. 

NASA’s Astrophysics Division seeks to understand the birth of the universe, the extremes of space and 

time near black holes, and the dark energy that fills the entire universe. It is exploring the relationship 

between the smallest of subatomic particles and the vast expanse of the cosmos. Its missions reveal the 

diversity of planets and planetary system architectures in the Milky Way galaxy; pinpoint Earth-like, 

potentially life-supporting planets in other solar systems; and study stellar and planetary environments 

and what powers the most energetic galaxies. Astrophysics designs and launches space telescopes that 

work in conjunction with ground and airborne telescopes to exploit the full range of the electromagnetic 

spectrum to view the broad diversity of the objects in the universe.

NASA’s Astrophysics missions have provided researchers with new ways of looking at the universe so 

that they can expand knowledge about cosmic origins and fundamental physics. The study of the universe 

benefits the Nation’s scientific research community by focusing research and advanced technology 

developments on optics, sensors, guidance systems, and propulsion systems. Some of these new and 

improved technologies enable groundbreaking capabilities, which are then available to the civil and 

defense sectors. 

Stunning images produced from Astrophysics’ operating missions continue to inspire the public, 

revealing the beauty of the universe and the science behind those images. The striking images from these 

observatories also are educational tools to help spark student interest in science, technology, engineering, 

and mathematics and serve to prominently illustrate the role of the United States in scientific exploration. 

NASA provides the tools to translate the science for the classroom and other learning venues in ways that 

meet educator needs.

Providing National Scientific Capabilities for Astrophysics

NASA continues to develop the Nation’s capabilities in support of this science objective by funding 

research and mission development performed by scientists and engineers at universities, research 

centers, private sector organizations, and NASA Centers. The vast majority of research awards also 

include funding for postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduate students, thereby 

supporting the education and training of future scientists and engineers.

Programs and activities serving this goal in FY 2012 include:

• Basic technology development in detector systems and materials sciences;

• Postdoctoral and early career fellowships through the Einstein, Hubble, and Sagan Postdoctoral 

fellowships and the Roman Technology Early Career fellowships; and

• Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. 

The establishment, operation, and maintenance of necessary facilities is critical to the Nation’s 

scientific capabilities. In FY 2012, NASA provided:

• Operations centers for NASA’s astrophysics spaceflight missions including the Hubble Space 

Telescope, Chandra X-ray Observatory, Spitzer Space Telescope, Fermi Gamma Ray Space 
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Telescope, Kepler Space Telescope, and other missions;

• Technology development including high contrast imaging testbeds at the Jet Propulsion 

Laboratory, X-ray mirror production facilities at the Goddard Space Flight Center, and the Xray Calibration Facility at the Marshall Space Flight Center; 

• Operation of data archives that capture all NASA astrophysics data and make it available to the 

science community and the public, including the Barbara Mikulski Archive for Space 

Telescopes, the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive, and the Infrared Science Archive; 

and

• Operation of the Nation’s scientific balloon facilities in Palestine, Texas, and McMurdo Base, 

Antarctica. 

NASA requires that all funded research investigations publish their results in open, peer reviewed 

science literature, ensuring that data and knowledge are captured.

Each year, the Astrophysics Subcommittee of NASA’s external advisory Science Committee evaluates 

the progress made by NASA toward each science objective. In FY 2012, the subcommittee found that 

expectations had been fully met by research results, which included those discussed below.

Reported Multi-Year Performance 

Multi-Year Performance Goal 2.4.1.1: Provide national scientific capabilities through necessary 

skilled researchers and supporting knowledge base. (In support of objective 2.4.1: "Improve 

understanding of the origin and destiny of the universe, and the nature of black holes, dark energy, 

dark matter, and gravity.")

FY11 NASA provides the skilled researchers and supporting astrophysics knowledge base 

necessary for the Nation’s scientific capabilities. Efforts in support of this science objective 

include the Chandra X-ray Observatory, Hubble Space Telescope, Fermi Gamma Ray Space 

Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope, Kepler Space Telescope, and other missions.

El Gordo: NASA's Chandra Finds Largest Galaxy Cluster in Early Universe

The largest galaxy cluster seen in the distant universe was found using NASA's Chandra Xray Observatory and the National Science Foundation-funded Atacama Cosmology 

Telescope (ACT) in Chile.

Officially known as ACT-CL J0102-4915, the galaxy cluster was nicknamed "El Gordo" 

("the big one" or "the fat one" in Spanish) by the researchers who discovered it. This cluster 

is located more than seven billion light years from Earth. This large distance means that it is 

being observed at a young age. Galaxy clusters, the largest objects in the universe that are 

held together by gravity, form through the merger of smaller groups or sub-clusters of 

galaxies. Because the formation process depends on the amount of dark matter and dark 

energy in the universe, clusters can be used to study these mysterious phenomena. Thus, El 

Gordo will provide an important link for understanding the content of the universe, essential 

to establishing its origin and ultimate fate. (Read more about this story.)

Giant Black Hole Kicked Out of Home Galaxy

Astronomers have found strong evidence that a massive black hole is being ejected from its 

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host galaxy at a speed of several million miles per hour. New observations from NASA's 

Chandra X-ray Observatory of the black hole, located in the middle of a galaxy about four 

billion light years away, suggest that it collided and merged with another black hole and 

received a powerful recoil kick from gravitational wave radiation. The kick occurs because 

more gravitational waves are being emitted in one direction. These new data support the 

idea that gravitational waves—ripples in the fabric of space first predicted by Albert 

Einstein but never detected directly—can exert an extremely powerful force, able to move a 

black hole with the mass of millions of Suns. Although likely to be rare, such ejections 

could mean that there are many giant black holes roaming undetected out in the vast spaces 

between galaxies. (Read more about this story.) 

Fermi Observations of Dwarf Galaxies Provide New Insights on Dark Matter

There's more to the cosmos than meets the eye. About 80 percent of the matter in the 

universe is invisible to telescopes, yet its gravitational influence is manifest in the orbital 

speeds of stars around galaxies and in the motions of clusters of galaxies. Despite decades 

of effort, no one knows what this "dark matter" really is. WIMPs, or Weakly Interacting 

Massive Particles, represent a favored class of dark matter candidates. Some WIMPs may 

mutually annihilate when pairs of them interact, a process expected to produce gamma rays, 

the most energetic form of light.

NASA’s Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope recently provided new clues. Using a novel 

technique where data from individual galaxies are analyzed jointly to boost the signal, the 

Fermi team examined roughly two dozen dwarf galaxies known to orbit the Milky Way. No 

gamma-ray signal consistent with the annihilations expected from four different types of 

commonly considered WIMP particles was found. For the first time, the results show that 

WIMP candidates within a specific range of masses and interaction rates cannot be dark 

matter. (Read more about this story.)

Update to Multi-Year Performance Goal

FY13 Update This performance goal remains the same in FY13.

FY14 This performance goal remains the same in FY14.

Reported Annual Performance

AS-12-1: Demonstrate planned progress in understanding the origin and destiny of the universe, 

and the nature of black holes, dark energy, dark matter, and gravity. Progress relative to the 

objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will be evaluated by external expert review.

Contributing Theme: Astrophysics

Contributing Program(s): Multiple Programs

FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12

7UNIV1 8AS01 9AS1 10AS01 AS-11-1 AS-12-1 

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Planned Annual Performance

AS-13-1: Demonstrate planned progress in understanding the origin and destiny of the 

FY13 Update universe and the nature of black holes, dark energy, dark matter, and gravity. Progress relative 

to the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will be evaluated by external expert review.

AS-14-1: Demonstrate planned progress in understanding the origin and destiny of the 

FY14 universe and the nature of black holes, dark energy, dark matter, and gravity. Progress relative 

to the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will be evaluated by external expert review.

Reported Annual Performance

No annual performance goal in FY12.

Contributing Theme: Astrophysics

Contributing Program(s): Physics of the Cosmos

FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12

7UNIV2

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8AS02

Green None 10AS04Green None None

Planned Annual Performance

FY13 Update AS-13-2: Achieve mission success criteria for the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope.

FY14 No annual performance goal in FY14.

Reported Annual Performance

No annual performance goal in FY12 or trended performance.

Contributing Theme: Astrophysics

Contributing 

Program(s): Physics of the Cosmos

Planned Annual Performance

FY13 Update No annual performance goal in FY13.

FY14 AS-14-2: Complete NuSTAR mission success criteria.

Reported Multi-Year Performance 

Multi-Year Performance Goal 2.4.1.2: By 2015, launch at least one mission in support of objective 

2.4.1.

FY11 The launch of satellites provides the data that is critical to meeting NASA’s scientific 

Green objectives. NASA completed this performance goal this year by launching the Nuclear 

FY12 Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) on June 13, 2012. NuSTAR carries the first 

focusing telescopes to image the sky in the high-energy X-ray region of the electromagnetic 

spectrum. The result is an unmatched ability to study high-energy X-ray sources like black 

holes and super-dense dead stars. On September 12, NASA celebrated NuSTAR’s first 100 

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days in operation.

Update to Multi-Year Performance Goal

FY13 Update No performance goal in FY13.

FY14 No performance goal in FY14.
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Reported Annual Performance

AS-12-2: Complete the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) Launch Readiness 

Review.

Contributing Theme: Astrophysics

Contributing Program(s): Astrophysics Explorer 

FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12

None None None 10AS02

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AS-11-2 

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AS-12-2 

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Planned Annual Performance

FY13 Update No annual performance goal in FY13.

FY14 No annual performance goal in FY14.

Reported Multi-Year Performance 

Multi-Year Performance Goal 2.4.2.1: Provide national scientific capabilities through necessary 

skilled researchers and supporting knowledge base. (In support of objective 2.4.2: "Improve 

understanding of the many phenomena and processes associated with galaxy, stellar, and planetary 

system formation and evolution from the earliest epochs to today.")

FY11 NASA provides the skilled researchers and supporting astrophysics knowledge base 

necessary for the Nation’s scientific capabilities. Efforts in support of this science objective 

include the Chandra X-ray Observatory, Hubble Space Telescope, Fermi Gamma Ray Space 

Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope, Kepler Space Telescope, and other missions.

NASA's Hubble Shows Milky Way is Destined for Head-On Collision

NASA astronomers announced they can now predict with certainty the next major cosmic 

event to affect the Milky Way galaxy, Sun, and solar system: the titanic collision of the 

Milky Way galaxy with the neighboring Andromeda galaxy, predicted to happen four 

billion years from now. This finding was provided through painstaking NASA Hubble 

Space Telescope measurements of the motion of Andromeda. Also known as M31, 

Andromeda is now 2.5 million light years away but falling toward the Milky Way under the 

mutual pull of gravity between the two galaxies and the invisible dark matter that surrounds 

them both.

Although the galaxies will plow into each other, stars inside each galaxy are so far apart 

relative to their sizes that they will not collide with each other during the encounter. 

However, the stars will be thrown into different orbits around the new galactic center. 

Simulations show that Earth’s solar system will probably be tossed much farther from the 

galactic core than it is today.

The universe is expanding and accelerating, but collisions between galaxies in close 

proximity to each other still happen because they are bound by the gravity of the dark matter 

surrounding them. The Hubble Space Telescope's deep views of the universe show such 

encounters between galaxies were more common in the past when the universe was smaller. 

(Read more about this story.) 

NASA's Spitzer Detects Comet Seeding Primordial Planet

NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has detected signs of cometary ices raining down on 

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primordial ‘planetessimals’ (budding planets) in an alien solar system. This happened in this 

solar system several billion years ago. During that period, comets and other icy objects that 

were flung in from the outer solar system pummeled the primordial inner planets, generated 

huge clouds of dust and ice, scarred rocky planets and moons, and seeded them with water 

and organics that may have helped kick-start life.

Spitzer spotted a band of dust around nearby bright star, Eta Corvi, with the tell-tale 

signature of an obliterated giant comet. This is the first time that evidence for such a comet 

storm has been seen around another star. This dust band is close to Eta Corvi, where Earthlike worlds could exist, implying a collision took place between a planet and one or more 

comets. The Eta Corvi system is about a billion years old, which is about the right age for 

such an extraterrestrial hailstorm.

Earth’s solar system has a similar region, known as the Kuiper Belt, where icy and rocky 

leftovers from planet formation linger. About four billion years ago, some 600 million years 

after the solar system formed, scientists think the Kuiper Belt was disturbed by a migration 

of the gas-giant planets Jupiter and Saturn. This jarring shift in the solar system's 

gravitational balance scattered the icy bodies in the Kuiper Belt, flinging the vast majority 

into interstellar space and producing cold dust in the belt. Some Kuiper Belt objects, 

however, were set on paths that crossed the orbits of the inner planets.

The resulting bombardment of comets lasted until 3.8 billion years ago. Some of these 

comets struck Earth, or were incinerated in the atmosphere, and are thought to have 

deposited water and carbon on this planet. This period of impacts might have helped life 

form by delivering its crucial ingredients. (Read more about this story.)

Update to Multi-Year Performance Goal

FY13 Update This performance goal remains the same in FY13.

FY14 This performance goal remains the same in FY14.

Reported Annual Performance

AS-12-3: Demonstrate planned progress in understanding the many phenomena and processes 

associated with galaxy, stellar, and planetary system formation and evolution from the earliest 

epochs to today. Progress relative to the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will be evaluated 

by external expert review.

Contributing Theme: Astrophysics

Contributing Program(s): Multiple Programs

FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12

7UNIV6 8AS06 9AS6 10AS09 AS-11-3 AS-12-3 

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Planned Annual Performance

FY13 Update

AS-13-3: Demonstrate planned progress in understanding the many phenomena and processes 

associated with galaxy, stellar, and planetary system formation and evolution from the earliest 

epochs to today. Progress relative to the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will be 

evaluated by external expert review.

FY14

AS-14-3: Demonstrate planned progress in understanding the many phenomena and processes 

associated with galaxy, stellar, and planetary system formation and evolution from the earliest 

epochs to today. Progress relative to the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will be 

evaluated by external expert review.

Reported Multi-Year Performance 

Multi-Year Performance Goal 2.4.2.2: Design and assemble the James Webb Space Telescope 

(JWST).

FY11 During FY 2012, the JWST Program successfully tested two of four science instruments, the 

Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS) and the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), in cryogenic vacuum 

conditions and qualified them for spaceflight and subsequently delivered them to NASA's 

Goddard Space Flight Center. The program also successfully completed the following 

significant and technically challenging developments and tests: 

• Cryogenic vacuum testing on all flight primary mirrors to confirm precision optical shape 

under cryogenic conditions; 

• Fabrication of the flight primary mirror backplane support structure, a very complex 

graphite-epoxy composite structure, to exacting shape necessary to hold the primary 

mirrors; 

• The telescope tower, also a precision composite structure; 

• Extensive modifications of the large vacuum Chamber A at the Johnson Space Center 

(JSC) to add, for the first time, cryogenic testing capabilities; and 

• Fabrication of the critical center of curvature optical assembly, a critical element of 

precision testing of the flight optical system in JSC’s Chamber A.

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Update to Multi-Year Performance Goal

FY13 Update This performance goal remains the same in FY13.

FY14 This performance goal remains the same in FY14.

Reported Annual Performance

JWST-12-1: Begin integration of James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) flight optics into Optical 

Telescope Element (OTE).

Contributing Theme: James Webb Space Telescope

Contributing Program(s): James Webb Space Telescope

FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12

7UNIV4 8AS04 9AS4 10AS06 JWST-11-1 JWST-12-1 

Green Green Green Green Green White

Why this APG was not achieved: 

The JWST Program replanning process resulted in a schedule revision that changed the milestone reflected in the 

FY 2012 measure. In the final review of the updated performance plan, NASA inadvertently missed correcting 

this measure to reflect the replan. The JWST Program continues to be on-track to complete its revised plan.
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Planned Annual Performance

FY13 Update JWST-13-1: Deliver James Webb Space Telescope Near Infrared Camera to Integrated 

Science Instrument Module (ISIM) Integration and Test.

FY14 JWST-14-1: Complete JWST Spacecraft Critical Design Review.

The JWST Program replan rearranged milestones in the schedule, moving some earlier and 

delaying others. The FY 2013 and FY 2014 APGs reflect the changed milestone schedule 

Comments resulting from the JWST Program’s replan. The JWST Program has rescheduled the 

integration of the flight optics into the Optical Telescope Element (see APG JWST-12-1) for a 

forthcoming fiscal year.

Reported Multi-Year Performance 

Multi-Year Performance Goal 2.4.2.3: Develop and operate an airborne infrared astrophysics 

observatory.

FY11 NASA and the German Aerospace Center, Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt 

(DLR), are developing the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), an 

airborne observatory that will complement the Hubble, Spitzer, and Herschel space 

telescopes. The plan is to demonstrate SOFIA’s full operational capability in 2014. The 

SOFIA Program has begun science flights during development to test and upgrade the 

instruments as needed. During FY 2012, the SOFIA Program completed the Early Science 

campaign, which began in FY 2011, and resulted in more than two dozen peer-reviewed 

papers based on the science results. The team then began preparing for Cycle 1 science 

observations by completing system upgrades, including observatory upgrades, and 

announcing General Observer investigations (totaling about 200 community science hours) 

evaluated by U.S.- and German-chartered peer-reviewed panels. The program also selected 

both the second-generation instrument upgrade proposal and the first full class of Airborne 

Astronomy Ambassadors: 26 U.S. and six German educators chosen to participate in Cycle 

1 flights as partners and astronomers as part of a larger education, outreach, and enrichment 

program.

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Update to Multi-Year Performance Goal

FY13 Update This performance goal remains the same in FY13.

FY14 This performance goal remains the same in FY14.

Reported Annual Performance

AS-12-4: Initiate the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Segment 3 

Aircraft modifications and upgrades.

Contributing Theme: Astrophysics

Contributing Program(s): Cosmic Origins

FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12

None None 9AS5

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10AS07

Yellow

AS-11-4 

Green

AS-12-4 

Green

Planned Annual Performance

FY13 Update AS-13-4: Complete the Systems Requirement Review (SRR) for the initial second generation 

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) instrument.

FY14 AS-14-5: Conduct Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) science flights 

to provide a minimum of 330 research hours.
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Reported Multi-Year Performance 

Multi-Year Performance Goal 2.4.3.1: Provide national scientific capabilities through necessary 

skilled researchers and supporting knowledge base. (In support of objective 2.4.3: "Generate a 

census of extra-solar planets and measure their properties.")

FY11 NASA provides the skilled researchers and supporting astrophysics knowledge base 

necessary for the Nation’s scientific capabilities. Efforts in support of this science objective 

include the Chandra X-ray Observatory, Hubble Space Telescope, Fermi Gamma Ray Space 

Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope, Kepler Space Telescope, and other missions.

NASA's Kepler Mission Redefines the Population of Extra-solar Planets

The Kepler mission made major strides this past year in its census of extra-solar planets. It 

identifies planet candidates by measuring dips in the brightness of more than 150,000 stars 

to search for planets crossing in front of, or transiting, their stars. The Kepler science team 

requires at least three transits to verify a signal as a planet candidate. Further analysis or 

ground-based observations are required to confirm discoveries of planets.

Kepler's count of candidate planets increased by more than a thousand during FY 2012, and 

stood at over 2,300 as of December. The largest part of this increase arises from the greater 

number of small planets discovered: over 900 are smaller than twice Earth's diameter, and 

over 200 are Earth-sized. Kepler results to date show that Neptune-sized planets are much 

more common than Jupiter-sized ones, a result that must be accounted for by all future 

planet formation theories. More than 500 Kepler planet candidates to date are found in a 

multi-planet system, which is defined as two or more planets circling the same host star. 

Kepler's count of candidate multi-planet systems is so large that no other explanation can 

account for it: almost all Kepler multi-planet candidates must be true planets. (Read more 

about this story.) 

NASA's Kepler Discovers Superlative Exoplanets

The Kepler mission has confirmed its first planet in the "habitable zone," the orbital region 

around a star where temperatures allow liquid water to exist on a planet’s surface. Ten 

additional planet candidates near Earth size have been found in habitable zones and are 

awaiting confirmation. Candidates require follow-up observations using other telescopes to 

verify that they are actual planets.

The newly confirmed planet, Kepler-22b, at 600 light years distance, is the smallest yet 

found to orbit in the middle of the habitable zone of a star similar to the Sun. The planet is 

about 2.4 times the radius of Earth. While it is larger than Earth, its orbit of 290 days around 

a Sun-like star resembles that of Earth. The planet's host star belongs to the same class as 

the Sun, a “G-type,” although it is slightly smaller and cooler. Scientists do not yet know if 

Kepler-22b has a predominantly rocky, gaseous, or liquid composition, but its discovery is a 

step closer to finding Earth-like planets. (Read more about this story.) 

Using data from NASA’s Kepler mission, astronomers announced the discovery of three 

new double-star planet systems: Kepler-16, Kepler-34, and Kepler-35. These findings 

establish that such “two sun” planets are not rare exceptions, but may in fact be common, 

broadening the hunting ground for systems that could support life. All three new planets are 

gaseous and Saturn-sized. Kepler-16b orbits a Sun-like star and its red dwarf companion 

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star every 229 days, while the two stars orbit each other every 41 days. Kepler-34b orbits its 

two Sun-like stars every 289 days, and the stars orbit one another every 28 days. Kepler-35b 

orbits its smaller and cooler host stars every 131 days, and the stellar pair orbit each other 

every 21 days. (Read more about Kepler 16b and Kepler 34 and 35). 

Update to Multi-Year Performance Goal

FY13 Update This performance goal remains the same in FY13.

FY14 This performance goal remains the same in FY14.

Reported Annual Performance

AS-12-5: Demonstrate planned progress in generating a census of extra-solar planets and 

measuring their properties. Progress relative to the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan will 

be evaluated by external expert review.

Contributing Theme: Astrophysics

Contributing Program(s): Multiple Programs

FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12

7UNIV7 8AS07 9AS7 10AS10 AS-11-5 AS-12-5 

Green Green Green Green Green Green

Planned Annual Performance

AS-13-5: Demonstrate planned progress in generating a census of extra-solar planets and 

FY13 Update measuring their properties. Progress relative to the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan 

will be evaluated by external expert review.

AS-14-6: Demonstrate planned progress in generating a census of extra-solar planets and 

FY14 measuring their properties. Progress relative to the objectives in NASA's 2010 Science Plan 

will be evaluated by external expert review.

Reported Annual Performance

No annual performance goal in FY12.

Contributing Theme: Astrophysics

Contributing Program(s): Exoplanet Exploration

FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12

7UNIV8

Green

8AS08

Green

9AS8

Green None None None

Planned Annual Performance

FY13 Update AS-13-6: Achieve mission success criteria for the Kepler mission.

FY14 No annual performance goal in FY14.