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Astrophsyics

About Physics of the Cosmos

The Physics of the Cosmos (PhysCOS) Program is one of three focused programs contained within NASA's Astrophysics Division (APD), together with Cosmic Origins (COR) and the Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP). PhysCOS lies at the intersection of physics and astronomy. Its purpose is to explore some of the most fundamental questions regarding the physical forces and laws of the universe: the validity of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity and the nature of spacetime, the behavior of matter and energy in extreme environments, the cosmological parameters governing inflation and the evolution of the universe, and the nature of dark matter and dark energy.

Located at the Goddard Space Flight Center, the PhysCOS Program Office supports, tracks, and studies a suite of science missions and enabling technologies that focus on specific aspects of these topics. PhysCOS activities include:

  • Facilitating the PhysCOS Program Analysis Group (PhysPAG), which comprises standing Science Interest Groups (SIGs) engaged in particular branches of high-energy astrophysics, and shorter-term Science Analysis Groups (SAGs) convened to address related science and technology topics.

  • Keeping its members informed of upcoming developments and funding opportunities, both within NASA and at other agencies engaged in science and technology activities.

  • Soliciting, and prioritizing community-identified technology gaps that must be closed to enable or enhance future strategic Astrophysics missions with benefits to PhysCOS science. This technology gap prioritization informs APD’s strategic technology development solicitation, selection, and funding.

  • Managing funded technology projects with benefits to PhysCOS science.

For more NASA videos, check out the Scientific Visualization Studio


NASA Missions Study What May Be a 1-In-10,000-Year
Gamma-ray Burst

On Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, a pulse of intense radiation swept through the solar system so exceptional that astronomers quickly dubbed it the BOAT – the brightest of all time. The source was a gamma-ray burst (GRB), the most powerful class of explosions in the universe. Read more.


PhysCOS News

See our new Events Calendar

Program News and Announcements

  • Sign up for PhysCOS News and Announcements

  • 23 March
    Physics of the Cosmos Activities at HEAD 2023 »  Details.
    23 March
    High Energy X-ray Probe Splinter Session at HEAD 2023 »  Details.
    23 March
    STAR-X Special Community Session at HEAD Meeting in Hawaii, 28 March 2023 »  Details.
    23 March
    ROSES-22: Astrophysics Decadal Survey Precursor Science Proposal Due Date Delay »  Details.
    23 March
    National Academies’ Space Science Week 28–29 March 2023 »  Details.
    23 March
    NASA Astrophysics Advisory Committee Spring Meeting 29–30 March 2023 »  Details.
    21 March
    Science Mission Directorate Budget Community Town Hall 23 March 2023 »  Details.
    21 March
    NOIRLab Call for Proposals for Semester 2023B, Including NN-EXPLORE Proposals »  Details.
    21 March
    Call for Proposals for the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility »  Details.
    21 March
    Arcus Probe Community Science Meeting 4-5 May »  Details.
    21 March
    NASA SMD Seeking Volunteer Reviewers for Research Proposals »  Details.
    6 March
    First COSI Data Challenge Released »  Details.
    6 March
    Stellar Intensity Interferometry Workshop 22–24 May 2023 »  Details.
    6 March
    Habitable Worlds Observatory hybrid workshop 8–10 August 2023 »  Details.
    1 March
    The AGN Vision Series »  Details.
    1 March
    ROSES-23 Released »  Details.
    7 February
    NASA Astrophysics Division Statement of Principles »  Details.
    7 February
    Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Women’s Colleges and Universities (MUREP WCU) »  Details.
    25 January
    Upcoming Student/Postdoc Opportunities at NASA »  Details.
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