Roman Space Telescope Optics Aligned to Exceed Performance Goals
Engineers working on NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope successfully fine-tuned the observatory's alignment following its launch on August 30. By adjusting the secondary mirror by about one-sixteenth of the diameter of a human hair, the team brought the telescope's optics into near-perfect alignment. Subsequent testing revealed that the Wide Field Instrument's image quality achieved an error of just 63 nanometers RMS, which is nearly 30 percent better than pre-launch predictions and will allow the mission to conduct sharper cosmic surveys.
Chandra Observatory Explores Origins of Treble Clef Radio Wave Formation
Astronomers utilized NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and the eROSITA telescope to investigate a radio wave formation nicknamed the Treble Clef, located behind the Milky Way. Researchers concluded that the musical symbol-shaped structure likely formed through a two-stage process. First, an outburst from a supermassive black hole produced radio-emitting particles that subsequently faded. Next, a collision between two merging galaxy clusters compressed and reenergized the cloud, causing the radio waves to brighten again. The findings were published in Astronomy & Astrophysics.
NASA Tests Solid-State Batteries Designed for Extreme Lunar Temperatures
NASA researchers developing the Solid Power for Extreme Environment Adaptability and Resilience in Space project have conducted thermal vacuum testing on new solid-state battery cells. By replacing traditional liquid electrolytes with solid ceramic or polymer materials, the prototype batteries avoided freezing issues associated with standard lithium-ion designs. Testing at NASA Langley Research Center demonstrated that the cells operated successfully down to minus 76 degrees Fahrenheit and survived temperature extremes as low as minus 274 degrees Fahrenheit without sustaining damage.
Written with AI from original reports. Source names and report dates are shown with each story.
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