During a recent visit to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, reporters were given a glimpse of the agency’s latest breakthrough: a coronagraph instrument dubbed “starglasses.” The device, which will be installed on the upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, is designed to block the overwhelming glare of stars so that faint, distant planets can be observed.
How the coronagraph works
The coronagraph is a highly sensitive optical system that requires a pristine environment. Anyone entering the clean‑room must wear a white bunny suit and forgo makeup, lotions, or scented products to avoid contaminating the instrument. Engineers use virtual‑reality glasses to walk through the instrument’s components before it is physically assembled, ensuring every mirror and sensor fits together perfectly.
Once in space, the coronagraph’s flexible mirrors can adjust in real time, maintaining the precision needed to capture ultra‑clear images of exoplanets. By suppressing starlight, the instrument can reveal Jupiter‑size worlds and, eventually, Earth‑like planets that might support life.
Roman Telescope’s broader mission
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the Roman Space Telescope will tackle some of the universe’s biggest mysteries, including dark matter, dark energy, and the overall structure of the cosmos. Named after pioneering astronomer Nancy Grace Roman, the telescope will complement the Hubble and James Webb observatories, extending humanity’s reach into the farthest corners of space.
If the coronagraph performs as expected, it could become a key tool for future missions seeking to answer the age‑old question: Are we alone?
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
