NASA announced on October 22, 2026, that the Hubble Space Telescope is capturing gravitational lensing images to prepare for future scientific observations by the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. The observations help astronomers analyze dark matter and develop computer tools for future telescope data.
Preparing for Roman Observations
According to NASA, observations taken by the Hubble Space Telescope are serving as preparation for science with the new Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Hubble can view gravitational lenses one at a time, while Roman's wide view of the sky will provide a greater sample of these lenses.
Gravitational lensing occurs when the mass of a foreground object warps spacetime, causing light to bend, distort, and magnify as it passes around the object. In one recent observation highlighted by NASA, a gravitational lens features a foreground elliptical galaxy about 4.5 billion light-years away and a background galaxy about eight billion light-years away.
Telescope Capabilities and Dark Matter
NASA stated that Hubble views the cosmos primarily in visible and ultraviolet light with some infrared coverage, offering high-resolution views of individual objects. In contrast, the Roman Space Telescope sees mainly infrared wavelengths and some visible light, featuring a much larger field of view conducive to panoramas.
Astronomers are using Hubble's sharp images to build a computer model to better analyze dark matter-induced distortions. This tool will help astronomers analyze Roman's large images, and Hubble will also follow up on interesting lenses that Roman detects.
Key facts and where they come from
- Hubble captured a gravitational lens with a foreground elliptical galaxy about 4.5 billion light-years away and a background galaxy about eight billion light-years away.
In this image, the gravitational lens features a foreground elliptical galaxy that is about 4.5 billion light-years away. That means the light we see from this galaxy now would have first started traveling toward us when our solar system was still forming. The background galaxy is about eight billion light-years away
- Hubble views the cosmos primarily in visible and ultraviolet light with some infrared coverage, while Roman sees mainly infrared wavelengths and some visible light.
Hubble views the cosmos primarily in visible and ultraviolet light with some infrared coverage, and Roman sees mainly infrared wavelengths and some visible light.