Determine the optimal exoplanet survey strategy for HWO

Determine which observational survey strategy is optimal for maximizing Habitable Worlds Observatory exoEarth detection and characterization yields, recognizing that the optimal strategy may depend on evolving biomarker knowledge and telescope technology and may not be known before launch.

Background

The paper presents multiple candidate sequences for detecting exoEarth candidates, measuring their orbits, and characterizing atmospheric molecules such as H2O, O2, CH4, and CO2. The authors emphasize that both the scientific understanding of useful biomarkers and the technological capabilities of the Habitable Worlds Observatory remain under development, so the preferred ordering of observations is not yet settled.

This problem concerns identifying the most scientifically productive and technically feasible strategy on a star-by-star and planet-by-planet basis rather than assuming that the conventional detection–orbit measurement–characterization sequence is universally optimal.