NASA Roman Space Telescope

Context

NASA’s new Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will take to space on 30 August and is poised to answer some of the universe’s most fundamental questions, with a major improvement in space-based astronomical observations.

Key Highlights

• The mission is named in honor of Nancy Grace Roman, who was the first chief astronomer at NASA and was instrumental in the development of Hubble and the James Webb Space Telescope, and will provide complementary capabilities to Hubble and the James Webb Space Telescope.
• The telescope should give new insights into dark matter, dark energy, exoplanets, and the large-scale structure of the universe.

Importance of Roman Space Telescope

• Roman is engineered for fast, wide sky surveys, rather than scrutinising individual objects in great detail, as are telescopes that are mainly devoted to such tasks.
• Because of its broad field of view, it will also allow astronomers to observe billions of objects in the cosmos and discover patterns that can’t be seen in narrow field observations.
• The ability to survey the entire sky with this kind of resolution and then observe the objects using infrared astronomy would give mankind a much broader view of cosmic evolution.

Studying Dark Matter and Dark Energy

• Dark Matter

  • Only about 5% of the universe is ordinary matter; the rest is estimated to be dark matter.
  • Dark matter does not radiate light that we can detect, but exists as a gravitational presence that helps to explain the structure and formation of galaxies.
  • Observations of gravitational lensing, a bending of light by gravity, will help map the distribution of matter throughout the cosmos, and Roman will be able to do this.

• Dark Energy

  • Dark energy is believed to make up almost 68% of the universe and is linked to the acceleration in the expansion of the universe.
  • Roman would make subsequent observations of galaxies far beyond the solar system and measure cosmic structures as they change over time, bettering the scientific knowledge of how the universe expanded.
  • The observations it makes could thus be used to help scientists test the competing theories about what dark energy is.

Exploring Exoplanets

• Exoplanets are planets that orbit other stars in the Universe and are normally found by observing the effects that they have on the host star.
• Roman’s broad-field observations could allow for a much greater number of exoplanets, especially those discovered by gravitational microlensing, to be identified.
• The larger the exoplanet sample, the better the astronomers and scientists will be able to comprehend the process of planetary formation, the variety in planets, and the conditions for life.
• The mission might then help to answer one of astronomy’s most enduring questions: Are we alone in the universe?

Key Technologies

• Wide Field Instrument
  • Roman’s Wide Field Instrument is a strong infrared camera which can see a patch of sky much broader than what Hubble can in one snap.
  • It will be able to image things very quickly, enabling large scale astronomical surveys and enormous amounts of scientific data to be produced.
• Coronagraph
  • Roman will also have a more sophisticated coronagraph that can block out the bright light of stars.
  • The dimming allows scientists to try to see the much fainter light reflecting off planets that orbit the stars.
  • This technology could help to better understand planetary systems and to assist in future searches for habitable planetary systems.
• Lagrange Point 2
  • Roman will fly around Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 2 (L2), located at about 1.5 million kilometres from Earth.
  • L2 is a good place for space observatories because gravitational forces of the Sun and Earth ensure a stable observing configuration for the spacecraft.
  • This is also a good area for observing deep space objects.

Data and Scientific Impact

• Roman will produce a massive amount of astronomical observations, necessitating sophisticated data transmission, processing and analysis systems.
• It can produce large-scale surveys that result in precise maps of galaxies and the distribution of matter, enhancing understanding of the cosmic web and evolution of the universe.
• It will also showcase how observations from multiple space telescopes are more valuable when they are used together, and not as separate observatories.

Significance for India

• Astronomy, space technology, advanced sensors, artificial intelligence and high-performance computing are vital to missions like Roman.
• Enhancing India’s expertise in space sciences can aid in the research of astrophysics, satellite technology, data science, and scientific instrumentation.
• India can make a better contribution to global space research activities through collaboration with international scientific missions.

Way Ahead

• More cooperation between countries in data processing and analysis of massive amounts of data from next-generation space telescopes.
• Artificial intelligence and advanced computational methods should be used more to detect patterns and anomalies in astronomical data.
• Space agencies should keep working on technologies to directly image distant planets and to characterize their atmospheres.
• Investment in basic space science, astronomy research, scientific instruments, human resources in India should be boosted.

Conclusion

• The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is a new class of astronomical observatory that can explore the universe on a scale never before seen.
• Roman could help answer some of the most fundamental questions about the origin, structure and future of the universe by studying dark matter, dark energy, exoplanets, and gravitational lensing.

Source: The Indian Express

Prelims PYQ

Q. Which of the following is/are cited by the scientists as evidence/evidence for the continued expansion of the universe? (2012)

1. Detection of microwaves in space
2. Observation of redshift phenomenon in space
3. Movement of asteroids in space
4. Occurrence of supernova explosions in space

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) None of the above

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