NASA’s Roman telescope team has completed instrument alignment, a milestone reported November 13 as the observatory progresses toward science operations. Test observations of stars allowed researchers to compare measured positions with expected locations and improve the internal map used to direct the telescope.

That map matters because the Wide Field Instrument’s 18 detectors also support guidance. Accurate star positions help the telescope maintain its aim and correct small drifts. The instrument can monitor a neighbouring patch of sky while the Coronagraph Instrument observes another target, providing guidance during those observations.

The coronagraph is designed to suppress bright starlight so much fainter nearby signals can be detected. Alignment work included adjustments to mirrors, masks and other optics. The team’s next work involves exercising more than 3,000 moving components associated with its deformable mirrors. This is an account of commissioning progress; the announcement does not present a new planet discovery or completed scientific survey.