NASA,Roman Space Telescope Coronagraph Instrument Poster

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NASA Releases Poster for Roman Space Telescope Coronagraph Instrument

January 15, 2025

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has unveiled a poster showcasing the Roman Space Telescope’s Coronagraph Instrument (CGI). The CGI is a revolutionary tool that will allow astronomers to peer directly into the hearts of dusty, obscured regions of space, where planets, stars, and other cosmic wonders often hide.

The Importance of Coronagraphs

Coronagraphs are specialized instruments that block out the blinding light of a star so that scientists can study its fainter surroundings. This technique is crucial for observing planets orbiting nearby stars, as the star’s light can overwhelm and obscure the much fainter planet.

“Coronagraphs are like sunglasses for telescopes,” said Paul Kalas, CGI’s Principal Investigator at the University of California, Berkeley. “They enable us to see what’s happening in the most extreme environments, where stars and planets are forming and evolving.”

CGI’s Advanced Capabilities

CGI is the most advanced coronagraph ever designed, capable of suppressing starlight by a factor of 10 billion. This unprecedented sensitivity will allow astronomers to:

  • Directly image exoplanets and their atmospheres
  • Study the formation and evolution of stars
  • Investigate the dusty material around stars and in galaxies
  • Probe the mysteries of black holes and other compact objects

Poster Highlights

The poster features a stunning image of the Sun, taken by CGI’s predecessor, the High Contrast Instrument for the Subaru Telescope (HiCIAO). This image reveals a previously unseen population of dust grains surrounding the Sun, providing valuable insights into the formation of our solar system.

“The CGI poster is a visual representation of the groundbreaking science we plan to do with this instrument,” said Scott Gaudi, Roman Space Telescope Project Scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. “We’re eager to unveil the hidden wonders of the universe that have been shrouded in darkness.”

Mission Details

The Roman Space Telescope is scheduled to launch in 2027. CGI is one of four scientific instruments onboard the telescope, along with a high-resolution imager, a near-infrared spectrograph, and an infrared camera.

The mission will transform our understanding of the evolution of galaxies, the nature of dark energy, and the origins and prevalence of exoplanets. CGI will play a critical role in these discoveries by providing unprecedented views into the dark and mysterious realms of the cosmos.

More Information

For more information about the Roman Space Telescope and CGI, please visit:

Roman Space Telescope Coronagraph Instrument Poster

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NASA a new article on 2025-01-14 23:42 titled “Roman Space Telescope Coronagraph Instrument Poster”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.


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