NASA's Roman Space Telescope Demonstrates Planet-Hunting Precision

· Science · United States

NASA's Roman Space Telescope has demonstrated remarkable pointing stability and given its planet-imaging coronagraph a first look at the cosmos. It can stay locked on a target with precision comparable to aiming a laser at a dime from about 150 miles away.

Why it matters：Demonstrated stability and a working coronagraph are prerequisites for directly imaging exoplanets, a capability that could accelerate the search for habitable worlds.

Key points

  • Roman demonstrated pointing stability suitable for exoplanet imaging
  • Coronagraph captured its first look at the cosmos
  • Precision likened to hitting a dime with a laser from 150 miles

Sources (original reporting)

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