16th - 18th of June 2026
Aim of the workshop
The search for life beyond Earth is entering a decisive new phase. With around 60% of Sun like stars expected to host potentially habitable, Earth sized planets, the need for ambitious space missions capable of directly detecting and characterising these worlds has never been stronger. Concepts such as the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) and the Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE) represent major steps toward atmospheric studies of dozens of Earth analogues and the search for possible biosignatures.
Both ESA and NASA have identified high contrast imaging (HCI) as essential to this future. Following strategic priorities set by ESA's Voyage 2050 and the US Decadal Survey, the European community has begun to coordinate efforts through a series of dedicated workshops. The first R&D for Space based HCI meeting (Paris, 2024) laid the groundwork for identifying key scientific and technological requirements, while the second edition (MPIA Heidelberg, 2025) advanced toward concrete technical objectives and coordinated work packages.
These developments unfold during a period of rapid international progress, highlighted by the establishment of the HWO project office, major mission focused conferences for both HWO and LIFE, and record ESA investments. Therefore this 3rd edition of the Space based HCI workshops aims to position Europe at the forefront of this effort by bringing together expertise in visible and near IR space based HCI, complementary technologies, and exoplanet science. While embracing synergies with ground based work, the focus will be on: enabling the next generation of space missions that will transform our ability to study potentially habitable worlds and, ultimately, to search for signs of life beyond Earth.
Scope
Why now? Next steps for HCI in Europe
- Opportunities for partnerships with US colleagues as the HWO instrument studies call is released this Spring
- Preparing for the upcoming ESA call for “ideas” for HWO instruments, to include support for the NIR coronagraph development in Europe
- Developing a Horizon Europe Synergy proposal to strengthen European HCI infrastructure (e.g. a high contrast testbed) - proposal deadline November 2026
- Formation of a consortium for the NIR arm of the HWO coronagraph
- November 2025 LIFE organised a successful international conference and will continue hosting it every two years (next in 2027), ensuring strong representation of reflected light science and featuring HWO, ELT, and related topics.
The meeting will include:
- Progress reports on work packages established at our last meeting
- Updates from the HWO and LIFE missions
- National updates from European partners and potential international contributors/collaborations (e.g. JAXA, Canada)
Working Groups:
- WG1 - Wavefront sensing, control & AO
- WG2 - Ground based facilities
- WP3 - Coronagraphs
- WG4 - Post processing
- WG5 - Nulling
- WG6 - Deformable mirrors
- WG7 - Telescope optics
- WG8 - Detectors
- WG9 - Science Drivers to Requirements
Previous Meetings
Agenda
For the current agenda please use the following link:
Committees
Organising Committee
Pierre Baudoz — LIRA, Observatoire de Paris
Beth Biller — University of Edinburgh
Oscar Carrión-González — MPIA
Gael Chauvin — MPIA
Elodie Choquet — LAM
Dan Dicken — UK Astronomy Technology Centre
Michiel Min — SRON, Netherlands Institute for Space Research
Jonah Hansen — ETHZ
Iva Laginja — Laboratoire Lagrange, Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur
Alexis Lau — LAM
Yinzi Xin — Leiden University
Local Organising Committee
Beth Biller — University of Edinburgh
Ben Sutlieff - University of Edinburgh
Clémence Fontanive - University of Edinburgh
Dan Dicken — UK Astronomy Technology Centre
Libby Jones — UK Astronomy Technology Centre
Scott Acton - UK Astronomy Technology Centre
Mark Booth — UK Astronomy Technology Centre
Charlotte Bond — UK Astronomy Technology Centre
Noah Schwartz — UK Astronomy Technology Centre
Contacts
Dan Dicken — daniel.dicken@stfc.ac.uk
Iva Laginja — iva.laginja@oca.eu
Oscar Carrión-González — oscarrion@mpia.de
Gael Chauvin — chauvin@mpia.de
Attendees
For a list of attendees please use the following link:
Dates
Workshop Duration:
16th of June (From 13:00)
18th of June (End 13:00)
Code of Conduct
All participants of this workshop agree to adhere to the ESA code of conduct for workshops and conferences:
Venue
Accommodation
Edinburgh is well-served for accommodation. Please see the
for suggestions.
Location
The Royal Observatory, Edinburgh is situated on Blackford Hill, to the south of the city, and should not be confused with the pre-1893 Royal Observatory (or City Observatory) on Calton Hill. The Royal Observatory is sign-posted from the Cameron Toll roundabout, Mayfield Road and Blackford Avenue.
From Edinburgh Waverley railway station
Edinburgh's principal railway station, Edinburgh Waverley (EDB), is well placed on the UK rail network and is served by a number of rail operators. It is conveniently located in the heart of the city.
Taxi
The taxi rank is on Market Street, follow signs in station. A black cab will cost around £12-£15 and should take around 15 minutes, depending on traffic.
Bus
See below for details about buses from the city centre.
Bus from the city centre
From Cameron Toll Shopping Centre: (bus + 20 minute walk)
Many buses regularly travel from the City Centre to Cameron Toll Shopping Centre including the 3, 8, 12, 24, 29, 31, 33, 37 and 37A. Alight at Cameron Toll Shopping Centre. Walk west (left) on Lady Road. Cross the Craigmillar junction and continue walking on Esslemont Road. Go straight across to West Mains Road. Continue walking until you come to Observatory Road on your left. Go through the red sandstone archway and continue to the top of the hill.
From Blackford Avenue: (bus + 10 to 15 minute walk)
Take the 24 from Princes Street or the 41 from the Mound (Art Galleries) in Edinburgh's City Centre and alight at Blackford Station. Walk along the second half of Blackford Avenue (away from the City Centre) until you reach the red sandstone archway at the bottom of Observatory Road. Turn right and climb the hill. Every half hour the 41 continues up the second half of Blackford Avenue to Kings Buildings so you can alight close to the red sandstone arch.
Additional buses
Service 38: Connects the Royal Observatory and King's Buildings (stops on West Mains Road) with Morningside, Gorgie and the Balgreen tram stop (providing a convenient connection to Edinburgh airport that avoids the city centre).
From the City Bypass: (by car)
Leave the bypass at Straiton Junction. Follow the signs to Edinburgh South and City Centre (A701). Follow along Howdenhall Road and continue down Liberton Brae. Take a left-hand fork onto Mayfield Road. At the lights, turn left onto West Mains Road and continue until you come to the red sandstone archway at the foot of Observatory Road. Turn left and go to the top of the hill.
From Edinburgh Airport
A journey to the ROE takes about 20-30 minutes (longer at peak times).
Leave the airport and join the A8 heading for Edinburgh. Proceed along this road until you reach the Gogar roundabout. Turn right onto the A720 city bypass southbound. Leave the bypass at Straiton Junction. Follow the signs to Edinburgh South and City Centre (A701). Follow along Howdenhall Road and continue down Liberton Brae. Take a left-hand fork onto Mayfield Road. At the lights, turn left onto West Mains Road and continue until you come to the red sandstone archway at the foot of Observatory Road. Turn left and go to the top of the hill.
Tram
A tram service connects Edinburgh Airport with the city centre, running at least every 10 minutes from early morning until late night. Get off at Princes Street and then catch the number 9 bus on Hanover Street direct to King's Buildings campus or ROE, see below for more details.
Two alternative tram connections avoiding the city centre - get off the tram at Balgreen and take bus number 38 to West Mains Road or ROE, or get off the tram at Haymarket and take bus number 12 to Mayfield Road.
Bus
Airlink 100 runs from the airport terminal to the city centre. This is a limited-stop express bus running every 10 minutes, 24 hours per day. Get off the bus at the final stop then walk to Hanover Street and take bus number 9 direct to King's Building campus or ROE, see below for more details.
Map of the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh: