NASA Tests New Space Telescope’s Planet-Hunting Systems
NASA has successfully tested the guidance systems of its new Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. The tests proved that the telescope can stay incredibly steady when looking at deep space. Its accuracy is comparable to pointing a laser at a small coin from 150 miles away. In addition, scientists tested the coronagraph, an instrument designed to block starlight so we can see distant planets. It successfully captured a clear image of a star in a nearby galaxy.
NASA has successfully tested a key system on its new space observatory. This machine is the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. From September 15 to September 21, engineers tested the telescope's guidance systems. The results show that the telescope can stay extremely still during observations. On September 22, the coronagraph instrument received cosmic light for the first time.
The telescope must remain steady to take clear pictures of deep space. Currently, its steering system is incredibly accurate. The level of stability is like pointing a laser at a small coin from 150 miles away. Scientists hope to improve this performance even more. If they succeed, the accuracy will be like hitting a coin from 230 miles away. The telescope has 18 detectors that monitor guide stars four times every second. Begoña Vila, who leads the guiding systems team, said this was an exciting moment. Without these adjustments, the telescope could not take its sharpest pictures.
In addition, the team is planning to test a completely new way of steering. Instead of just tracking a star, the observatory will use light patterns called spectra. This is a very creative method because the telescope already uses these patterns for research.
The coronagraph tool also performed well during these early tests. It is designed to block the bright light of stars so that astronomers can observe faint planets. Recently, the instrument took a focused picture of a faint star in a neighboring galaxy. Vanessa Bailey, a scientist who works on the project, pointed out that this is just the first step. This test helps the team prepare the instrument for its future work.
Take a position. Out loud, if you can.
Four ways to start. Pick one and try saying it before you scroll on.
Tip · Record yourself, use in a notebook, or practice with a language partner.
What is the main purpose of the telescope's coronagraph tool?
First Conditional
We use the first conditional to talk about a possible future situation and its probable result. It uses 'if' with the present simple, and 'will' with the base verb in the other clause.
“If they succeed, the accuracy will be like hitting a coin from 230 miles away.”
What to know · B1
Try saying this aloud
Scenario: You are talking to a classmate about a difficult science project and how you hope to get perfect results.
- 01“If they succeed”
- 02“pointed out that”
- 03“just the first step”
Register tip · informal
🔑Key Phrases
This phrase describes the high level of stability required for the telescope to capture clear images of space.
The camera must stay extremely still during observations of the night sky.
A vivid comparison used to explain the incredibly precise pointing ability of the telescope.
His task was as difficult as pointing a laser at a small coin from a distance.
A common phrasal verb used in reporting speech to highlight an important fact or observation.
The teacher pointed out that the exam would start at nine o'clock.
An idiom used to show that an action is only the beginning of a much longer process.
Passing this test is just the first step toward getting your license.
Article Audio — Kokoro TTS
NASA Tests New Space Telescope’s Planet-Hunting Systems
💬Discussion Questions
Open-ended questions to talk or write about — alone, with a partner, or in class.
- 1
Why is it important for space telescopes to stay extremely still when taking pictures?
Evaluate - 2
If you were a scientist, what would you want to discover using this new telescope?
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News sourced from: ScienceDaily →. LectoPress rewrites the facts as original graded-reader text for language learners.
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