{"id":328461,"date":"2025-12-13T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=936478"},"modified":"2025-12-13T01:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T15:00:00","slug":"nasa-announces-plan-to-map-milky-way-with-roman-space-telescope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=328461","title":{"rendered":"NASA Announces Plan to Map Milky Way With Roman Space Telescope"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>NASA\u2019s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope team has released detailed plans for a major survey that will reveal our home galaxy, the Milky Way, in unprecedented detail. In one month of observations spread across two years, the survey will unveil tens of billions of stars and explore previously uncharted structures.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Incredible Scale of Roman\u2019s Galactic Plane Survey\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sLpktwTTeWI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This video begins with a view of the Carina Nebula \u2014 a giant, relatively nearby star-forming region in the southern sky. Roman will view the entire nebula as well as its surroundings, including a 10,000 light-year-long swath of the spiral arm it resides in. The observation will offer an unparalleled opportunity to watch how stars grow, interact, and sculpt their environments, and it\u2019s just one of many thousands of highlights astronomers are looking forward to from the Galactic Plane Survey NASA\u2019s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will conduct.<br \/>Credit: NASA&#8217;s Goddard Space Flight Center<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cThe Galactic Plane Survey will revolutionize our understanding of the Milky Way,\u201d said Julie McEnery, Roman\u2019s senior project scientist at NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. \u201cWe\u2019ll be able to explore the mysterious far side of our galaxy and its star-studded heart. Because of the survey&#8217;s breadth and depth, it will be a scientific mother lode.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Galactic Plane Survey is Roman\u2019s first selected <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/roman-space-telescope\/general-astrophysics\" rel=\"noopener\">general astrophysics survey<\/a> \u2014 one of many observation programs Roman will do in addition to its <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/roman-space-telescope\/observing-with-roman-surveys\" rel=\"noopener\">three core surveys<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/roman-space-telescope\/coronagraph\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Coronagraph technology demonstration<\/a>. At least 25% of Roman\u2019s five-year primary mission is reserved for astronomers worldwide to propose more surveys beyond the core programs, fully leveraging Roman\u2019s capabilities to conduct groundbreaking science. Roman is slated to launch by May 2027, but the team is on track for launch as early as fall 2026.<\/p>\n<p>While ESA\u2019s (European Space Agency\u2019s) retired <a href=\"https:\/\/www.esa.int\/Science_Exploration\/Space_Science\/Gaia\" rel=\"noopener\">Gaia<\/a> spacecraft mapped around 2 billion Milky Way stars in visible light, many parts of the galaxy remain hidden by dust. By surveying in infrared light, Roman will use powerful heat vision that can pierce this veil to see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/roman-space-telescope\/nasas-roman-team-selects-survey-to-map-our-galaxys-far-side\/\">what lies beyond<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt blows my mind that we will be able to see through the densest part of our galaxy and explore it properly for the first time,\u201d said Rachel Street, a senior scientist at Las Cumbres Observatory in Santa Barbara, California, and a co-chair of the committee that selected the Galactic Plane Survey design.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/roman-galacticplanesurvey-final-1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1152\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/roman-galacticplanesurvey-final-1.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Galactic Plane Survey Infographic\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/roman-galacticplanesurvey-final-1.jpg 3840w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/roman-galacticplanesurvey-final-1.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/roman-galacticplanesurvey-final-1.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/roman-galacticplanesurvey-final-1.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/roman-galacticplanesurvey-final-1.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/roman-galacticplanesurvey-final-1.jpg?resize=2048,1152 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/roman-galacticplanesurvey-final-1.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/roman-galacticplanesurvey-final-1.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/roman-galacticplanesurvey-final-1.jpg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/roman-galacticplanesurvey-final-1.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/roman-galacticplanesurvey-final-1.jpg?resize=2000,1125 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">This infographic describes the 29-day Galactic Plane Survey that will be conducted by NASA\u2019s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. The survey\u2019s main component will cover 691 square degrees \u2014 a region of sky as large as around 3,500 full moons \u2014 in 22.5 days. Roman will also view a smaller area \u2014 19 square degrees, the area of 95 full moons \u2014 repeatedly for about 5.5 days total to capture things that change over time. The survey\u2019s final component will image a smattering of even smaller areas, adding up to about 4 square degrees (the area of 20 full moons) and 31 total hours, with Roman\u2019s full suite of filters and spectroscopic tools. The survey will reveal our home galaxy in unprecedented detail including many in regions we\u2019ve never been able to see before because they\u2019re blocked by dust, unveiling tens of billions of stars and other objects.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">Credit: NASA&#8217;s Goddard Space Flight Center<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The survey will cover nearly 700 square degrees (a region of sky as large as about 3,500 full moons) along the glowing band of the Milky Way \u2014 our edge-on view of the disk-shaped structure containing most of our galaxy\u2019s stars, gas, and dust. Scientists expect the survey to map up to 20 billion stars and detect tiny shifts in their positions with repeated high-resolution observations. And it will only take 29 days spread over the course of the mission\u2019s first two years.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cosmic Cradles<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Stars are born from parent clouds of gas and dust. Roman will peer through the haze of these nesting grounds to see millions of stellar embryos, newborn stars still swaddled in shrouds of dust, tantrumming toddler stars that flare unpredictably, and young stars that may have planetary systems forming around them. Astronomers will study stellar birth rates across a wide range of masses and stitch together videos that show how stars change over time.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis survey will study such a huge number of stars in so many different stellar environments that we&#8217;ll be sampling every phase of a star\u2019s evolution,\u201d Street said.<\/p>\n<p>Observing so many stars in various stages of early development will shed light on the forces that shape them. Star formation is like a four way tug-of-war between gravity, radiation, magnetism, and turbulence. Roman will help us study how these forces influence whether gas clouds collapse into full-fledged stars, smaller brown dwarfs \u2014 in-between objects that are much heavier than planets but not massive enough to ignite like stars \u2014 or new worlds.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Using Infrared Light to Survey the Milky Way Galaxy\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nH0GceKNtfA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Galactic Plane Survey by NASA\u2019s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will scan the densest part of our galaxy, where most of its stars, gas, and dust reside \u2014 the most difficult region to study from our place inside the Milky Way since we have to look through so much light-blocking material. Roman\u2019s wide field of view, crisp resolution, and infrared vision will help astronomers peer through thick bands of dust to chart new galactic territory. <br \/>Credit: NASA&#8217;s Goddard Space Flight Center<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Some stars are born in enormous litters called clusters. Roman will study nearly 2,000 young, loosely bound <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/hubble\/science\/universe-uncovered\/hubble-star-clusters\/#open-clusters\" rel=\"noopener\">open<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/hubble\/science\/universe-uncovered\/hubble-star-clusters\/#open-clusters\" rel=\"noopener\"> clusters<\/a> to see how the galaxy\u2019s spiral arms trigger star formation. The survey will also map dozens of ancient, densely packed <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/hubble\/science\/universe-uncovered\/hubble-star-clusters\/#globular-clusters\" rel=\"noopener\">globular clusters<\/a> near the center of the galaxy that could help astronomers reconstruct the Milky Way\u2019s early history.<\/p>\n<p>Comparing Roman\u2019s snapshots of clusters scattered throughout the galaxy will enable scientists to study nature versus nurture on a cosmic scale. Because a cluster\u2019s stars generally share the same age, origin, and chemical makeup, analyzing them allows astronomers to isolate environmental effects very precisely.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pulse Check<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>When they run out of fuel, Sun-like stars leave behind cores called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/image-article\/white-dwarf-stars\/\">white dwarfs<\/a> and heavier stars collapse to form <a href=\"https:\/\/imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov\/science\/objects\/neutron_stars1.html\" rel=\"noopener\">neutron stars<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/black-holes\/\" rel=\"noopener\">black holes<\/a>. Roman will find these stellar embers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/roman-space-telescope\/how-nasas-roman-space-telescope-will-uncover-lonesome-black-holes\/\">even when they\u2019re alone<\/a> thanks to wrinkles in space-time.<\/p>\n<p>Anything that has mass <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/how-gravity-warps-light\/\" rel=\"noopener\">warps the underlying fabric of the universe<\/a>. When light from a background star passes through the gravitational well around an intervening object on its journey toward Earth, its path slightly curves around the object. This phenomenon, called <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/roman-space-telescope\/microlensing\/\" rel=\"noopener\">microlensing<\/a>, can temporarily brighten the star. By studying these signals, astronomers can learn the mass and size of otherwise invisible foreground objects.<\/p>\n<p>A separate survey \u2014&nbsp;Roman\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/roman-space-telescope\/galactic-bulge-time-domain-survey\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Galactic Bulge Time-Domain Survey<\/a> \u2014&nbsp;will conduct deep microlensing observations over a smaller area in the heart of the Milky Way. The Galactic Plane Survey will conduct repeated observations over a shorter interval but across the whole center of the galaxy, giving us the first complete view of this complex galactic environment. An unobscured view of the galaxy&#8217;s central bar will help astronomers answer the question of its origin, and Roman\u2019s videos of stars in this region will enable us to study some ultratight binary objects at the very ends of their lives thanks to their interactions with close companions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCompact binaries are particularly interesting because they\u2019re precursors to gravitational-wave sources,\u201d said Robert Benjamin, a visiting professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and a co-chair of the committee that selected the Galactic Plane Survey design. When neutron stars and black holes merge, the collision is so powerful that it sends <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/podcasts\/curious-universe\/the-invisible-world-of-gravitational-waves\/\">ripples through the fabric of space-time<\/a>. \u201cScientists want to know more about the pathways that lead to those mergers.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-image-before-after\">\n<div class=\"NasaBlocksImageBeforeAfterBlock grid-container grid-row grid-container-block bg-spacesuit-white padding-x-0 padding-y-6 margin-x-auto nasa-block-align-full\">\n<div class=\"padding-x-0 grid-col-12\">\n<p>\t\t\t<!-- curtain view --><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-comparison-slider-parent comparison-view-active\">\n\t\t\t\t<img-comparison-slider><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" slot=\"first\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/stsci-h-p1821a-m-1699x20001a.png\" alt=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" slot=\"second\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg\" alt=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/img-comparison-slider><\/p>\n<div class=\"curtain-view-label-wrapper curtain-view-before\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"curtain-view-label\">optical<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"curtain-view-label-wrapper curtain-view-after\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"curtain-view-label\">infrared<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<!-- toggle view --><\/p>\n<div class=\"toggle-comparison-parent\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- if image_1 is active the show image_1 --><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover toggle-view-image toggle-view-before-image toggle-view-active\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"904\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/stsci-h-p1821a-m-1699x20001a.png?w=768\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large\" alt=\"Lagoon Nebula in optical light\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/stsci-h-p1821a-m-1699x20001a.png 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/stsci-h-p1821a-m-1699x20001a.png?resize=255,300 255w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/stsci-h-p1821a-m-1699x20001a.png?resize=768,904 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/stsci-h-p1821a-m-1699x20001a.png?resize=869,1024 869w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/stsci-h-p1821a-m-1699x20001a.png?resize=340,400 340w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/stsci-h-p1821a-m-1699x20001a.png?resize=509,600 509w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/stsci-h-p1821a-m-1699x20001a.png?resize=764,900 764w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/stsci-h-p1821a-m-1699x20001a.png?resize=1019,1200 1019w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">This colorful image, taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and published in 2018, celebrated the observatory\u2019s 28th anniversary of viewing the heavens.<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<!-- if image_2 is active the show image_2 --><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover toggle-view-image toggle-view-after-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?w=768\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large\" alt=\"Lagoon Nebula in infrared light\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=768,768 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=1024,1024 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=1536,1536 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=400,400 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=600,600 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=900,900 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=1200,1200 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=2000,2000 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"toggle-button-container padding-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"toggle-view-before-button toggle-comparison-view-active margin-right-1px\"><span class=\"toggle-view-before-label\">optical<\/span><\/button><button class=\"toggle-view-after-button margin-left-1px\"><span class=\"toggle-view-after-label\">infrared<\/span><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<!-- 2-up view --><\/p>\n<div class=\"two-up-view position-relative bg-carbon-10\">\n<div class=\"grid-row\">\n<div class=\"grid-col flex-3 padding-top-4 padding-bottom-4\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"904\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/stsci-h-p1821a-m-1699x20001a.png?w=768\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large\" alt=\"Lagoon Nebula in optical light\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/stsci-h-p1821a-m-1699x20001a.png 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/stsci-h-p1821a-m-1699x20001a.png?resize=255,300 255w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/stsci-h-p1821a-m-1699x20001a.png?resize=768,904 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/stsci-h-p1821a-m-1699x20001a.png?resize=869,1024 869w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/stsci-h-p1821a-m-1699x20001a.png?resize=340,400 340w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/stsci-h-p1821a-m-1699x20001a.png?resize=509,600 509w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/stsci-h-p1821a-m-1699x20001a.png?resize=764,900 764w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/stsci-h-p1821a-m-1699x20001a.png?resize=1019,1200 1019w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">This colorful image, taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and published in 2018, celebrated the observatory\u2019s 28th anniversary of viewing the heavens.<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"bg-spacesuit-white width-2px\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col flex-3 padding-top-4 padding-bottom-4\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?w=768\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large\" alt=\"Lagoon Nebula in infrared light\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=768,768 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=1024,1024 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=1536,1536 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=400,400 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=600,600 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=900,900 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=1200,1200 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hubble-lagoon-nebula-infrared.jpg?resize=2000,2000 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"curtain-view-label-wrapper curtain-view-before\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"curtain-view-label\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\toptical\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"curtain-view-label-wrapper curtain-view-after\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"curtain-view-label\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinfrared\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<!-- Under image content --><\/p>\n<div class=\"grid-row flex-row title-row padding-x-2 desktop:padding-x-0 padding-top-2\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6\">\n<p class=\"before-after-heading margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOptical vs infrared\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"before-after-title margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTwo Views\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 button-row margin-bottom-3 tablet:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Update onClick handlers --><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Curtain view\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"comparison-view curtain-view-button comparison-view-active padding-bottom-1 margin-left-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>Curtain<\/button><button\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Toggle view\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"comparison-view toggle-view-button padding-bottom-1 margin-left-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>Toggle<\/button><button\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Two-Up view\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"comparison-view two-up-view-button padding-bottom-1 margin-left-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>2-Up<\/button>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t<!-- Image detail area --><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-details-panel padding-x-0\">\n<div class=\"before-after-details-divider padding-y-2\">\n\t\t\t\t<!-- OnClick handleImageDetailsClick --><button class=\"image-details-toggle-button\"><span>Image Details<\/span><!-- style - if showImageDetails, then transform rotate(180deg), else none --><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" width=\"14\" height=\"15\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 15\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"7\" cy=\"7.5\" r=\"6.5\" stroke=\"#58585B\" \/><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M7.0002 8.23854L9.26318 5.95996L9.80019 6.50067L7.0002 9.31996L4.2002 6.50067L4.73721 5.95996L7.0002 8.23854Z\" fill=\"#58585B\" \/><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<!-- if showImageDetails, then display --><\/p>\n<div id=\"image-details\" class=\" padding-x-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-row\">\n<div class=\"grid-col flex-2\">\n<div class=\"image-details-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Galactic Plane Survey by NASA\u2019s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will scan the densest part of our galaxy, where most of its stars, gas, and dust reside \u2014 the most difficult region to study from our place inside the Milky Way since we have to look through so much light-blocking material. Roman\u2019s wide field of view, crisp resolution, and infrared vision will help astronomers peer through thick bands of dust to chart new galactic territory. Credit: NASA, ESA, and STScI\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- File List --><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Roman\u2019s repeated observations will also monitor stars that flicker. Ground-based surveys detect thousands of bright stellar outbursts, but often can\u2019t see the faint, dust-obscured stars that produce them. Roman will pinpoint the culprits plus take high-resolution snapshots of the aftermath.<\/p>\n<p>Some stars throb rhythmically, and the speed of their pulsing is directly linked to their intrinsic brightness. By comparing their true brightness to how bright they appear from Earth, astronomers can measure distances across the galaxy. Roman will find these blinking stars farther away than ever before and track them over time, helping astronomers improve their cosmic measuring sticks.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPairing Roman\u2019s Galactic Plane Survey with other Milky Way observations will create the best portrait of the galaxy we\u2019ve ever had,\u201d Benjamin said.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/svs.gsfc.nasa.gov\/14917\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/svs.gsfc.nasa.gov\/14917\" rel=\"noopener\">Download additional images and video from NASA\u2019s Scientific Visualization Studio.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>For more information about the Roman Space Telescope, visit:<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/roman\"><strong>https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/roman<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>By Ashley Balzer<\/strong><br \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/goddard\"><strong>NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center<\/strong><\/a><strong>, Greenbelt, Md.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Media contact:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Claire Andreoli<br \/><\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/goddard\"><strong>NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center<\/strong><\/a><strong>, Greenbelt, Md.<\/strong><strong><br \/>301-286-1940<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-articles\">\n<section class=\"hds-related-articles padding-x-0 padding-y-3 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n<div class=\"w-100 grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0 text-align-left\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n<h2 style=\"max-width: 100%;\" class=\"width-full w-full maxw-full\">Explore More<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/roman-space-telescope\/nasas-roman-mission-shares-detailed-plans-to-scour-skies\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"188\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/roman-survey-infographic-mkiv-2.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/roman-survey-infographic-mkiv-2.jpg 8000w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/roman-survey-infographic-mkiv-2.jpg?resize=300,188 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/roman-survey-infographic-mkiv-2.jpg?resize=768,480 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/roman-survey-infographic-mkiv-2.jpg?resize=1024,640 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/roman-survey-infographic-mkiv-2.jpg?resize=1536,960 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/roman-survey-infographic-mkiv-2.jpg?resize=2048,1280 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/roman-survey-infographic-mkiv-2.jpg?resize=400,250 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/roman-survey-infographic-mkiv-2.jpg?resize=600,375 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/roman-survey-infographic-mkiv-2.jpg?resize=900,563 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/roman-survey-infographic-mkiv-2.jpg?resize=1200,750 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/roman-survey-infographic-mkiv-2.jpg?resize=2000,1250 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">6 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">NASA\u2019s Roman Mission Shares Detailed Plans to Scour Skies<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t8 months ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/roman-space-telescope\/nasa-completes-nancy-grace-roman-space-telescope-construction\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/complete.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/complete.jpg 5945w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/complete.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/complete.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/complete.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/complete.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/complete.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/complete.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/complete.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/complete.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/complete.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/complete.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">8 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">NASA Completes Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Construction<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1 week ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/roman-space-telescope\/one-survey-by-nasas-roman-could-unveil-100000-cosmic-explosions\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/supernova-sparkles-1.gif?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">7 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">One Survey by NASA\u2019s Roman Could Unveil 100,000 Cosmic Explosions<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t5 months ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 article_a hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-credits-and-details\">\n<section class=\"padding-x-0 padding-top-5 padding-bottom-2 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-2 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Share<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-bottom-2\">\n<ul class=\"social-icons social-icons-round\">\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-x\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a 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href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fmissions%2Froman-space-telescope%2Fnasa-announces-plan-to-map-milky-way-with-roman-space-telescope%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 8h-3v4h3v12h5v-12h3.642l.358-4h-4v-1.667c0-.955.192-1.333 1.115-1.333h2.885v-5h-3.808c-3.596 0-5.192 1.583-5.192 4.615v3.385z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fmissions%2Froman-space-telescope%2Fnasa-announces-plan-to-map-milky-way-with-roman-space-telescope%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on LinkedIn.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M4.98 3.5c0 1.381-1.11 2.5-2.48 2.5s-2.48-1.119-2.48-2.5c0-1.38 1.11-2.5 2.48-2.5s2.48 1.12 2.48 2.5zm.02 4.5h-5v16h5v-16zm7.982 0h-4.968v16h4.969v-8.399c0-4.67 6.029-5.052 6.029 0v8.399h4.988v-10.131c0-7.88-8.922-7.593-11.018-3.714v-2.155z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-rss\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feed\/\" aria-label=\"Subscribe to RSS feed.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 800 800\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M493 652H392c0-134-111-244-244-244V307c189 0 345 156 345 345zm71 0c0-228-188-416-416-416V132c285 0 520 235 520 520z\"\/><circle cx=\"219\" cy=\"581\" r=\"71\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Details<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n<div class=\"subheading\">Last Updated<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-8\">Dec 12, 2025<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n<div class=\"subheading\">Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-8\">Ashley Balzer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n<div class=\"subheading\">Contact<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-8\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-3\">\n<div>Ashley Balzer<\/div>\n<div><a href=\"mailto:ash&#108;e&#038;%23121;&#038;%2346;&#038;%23109;.b&#038;%2397;&#038;%23108;zer&#038;%2364;&#038;%23110;as&#038;%2397;&#038;%2346;go&#038;%23118;\">&#97;&#115;hl&#101;y.m&#46;&#98;alz&#101;&#114;&#64;&#110;&#97;&#115;a.&#103;&#111;v<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n<div class=\"subheading\">Location<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-8\">Goddard Space Flight Center<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black \">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Related Terms<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"article-tags\">\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/roman-space-telescope\" rel=\"noopener\">Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/exoplanets\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Exoplanets<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/galaxies\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Galaxies<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/goddard\/\">Goddard Space Flight Center<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/stars\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Stars<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/universe\/galaxies\/milky-way\/\">The Milky Way<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/\" rel=\"noopener\">The Universe<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NASA\u2019s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope team has released detailed plans for a major survey that will reveal our home galaxy, the Milky Way, in unprecedented detail. In one month of observations spread across two years, the survey will unveil tens of billions of stars and explore previously uncharted structures. \u201cThe Galactic Plane Survey will [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15636,15757,15614,15619,15675,15769,15638],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-328461","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-exoplanets","category-galaxies","category-goddard-space-flight-center","category-nancy-grace-roman-space-telescope","category-stars","category-the-milky-way","category-the-universe"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/328461","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=328461"}],"version-history":[{"count":85,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/328461\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":331065,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/328461\/revisions\/331065"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=328461"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=328461"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=328461"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}