NASA's Roman telescope first test image shows neon-green stars

NASA activated the 300-megapixel Wide Field Instrument on the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, launched August 30. The camera is not yet focused, so stars appear as green rings in the first test image. Full science images are expected in early 2027, and the mission could last 22 years instead of 10.

• 300-megapixel WFI camera powered on in space for first time
• Telescope is traveling to L2 point 1.6 million km from Earth
• Roman will transmit about 1.4 TB of data daily
• Fuel reserves allow mission extension from 10 to 22 years