The more scientists try to understand dark energy, the more its mysteries seem to grow. NASA’s newest space telescope is custom-built to crack the case

NASA engineer Mark Melton explains how the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will study dark energy, map the Milky Way and search for distant planets and galaxies.

Once in position, the telescope will take data that astronomers like me hope will help answer some of the field’s most puzzling questions. Closer to home, Roman will monitor small variations in light from stars near the center of the Milky Way galaxy in order to infer the presence of rogue planets drifting between the stars.

NASA hopes a new space telescope will give astronauts a closer glimpse at the far reaches of space than ever before.