In an effort to uncover the mysteries of dark matter, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope project by NASA is set to launch in May 2027 and will be ready to provide crucial insights into this elusive material.
The mission of the telescope involves exploring the gaps between star clusters, particularly the voids located between globular star clusters orbiting the Andromeda Galaxy, aiming to expand modern astronomy’s current understanding of dark matter by further studying the disturbances and voids present in these interstellar streams.
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope by NASA, launching in 2027, aims to shed light on the mysteries of dark matter by studying the gaps between globular star clusters surrounding the Andromeda Galaxy. (Image: NASA, STScI, Benjamin F. Williams (UWashington)
Technically, the Nancy Grace Roman Telescope will feature up to 18 ultra-large field detectors, which are expected to revolutionize observational capabilities. With the ability to observe more than 200 times deeper than the infrared camera of the Hubble Space Telescope, along with slightly superior resolution, the new telescope is promised to deliver exquisitely detailed snapshots of our neighboring Andromeda Galaxy.
According to Christian Aganze from Stanford University, who is also the project lead, the Nancy Grace Roman Telescope will be able to capture a colossal overview image of the Andromeda Galaxy, something no other telescope has fully achieved. The enhanced resolution in the telescope will enable it to detect individual stars within globular star clusters with unprecedented clarity compared to previous astronomical observations.
Meanwhile, dark matter, which makes up about 27% of the universe, remains undetectable through direct observation, as it does not interact with light. However, its influence on galaxies is evident through rotational patterns, making this an important indirect indicator for tracking this material. Tjitske Starkenburg from Northwestern University emphasizes: “We see the impact of dark matter on galaxies. Therefore, observing the rotational patterns of galaxies can be a critical premise for explaining the existence of dark matter.”
On the other hand, globular star clusters are described as cosmic ribbons, providing a unique vantage point for studying dark matter. Recent studies have shown that dark matter clumps can penetrate these clusters, creating distinct voids.
Unlike previous observations limited to the Milky Way Galaxy, the Nancy Grace Roman Telescope will allow researchers to explore neighboring galaxies for the first time, such as the Andromeda Galaxy, significantly expanding the dataset on globular star clusters to study the properties and mass of the dark matter halo.
