南希·格雷丝·罗曼空间望远镜发射

探索宇宙！每天都会展示一张关于我们迷人宇宙（universe）的不同图像或照片，并附上一段由专业天文学家（astronomer）撰写的简短说明。

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2026年8月31日

2026 August 31

说明：一台新的望远镜（telescope）已被发射到太空以研究宇宙。南希·格雷丝·罗曼空间望远镜（Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope，RST）的主镜尺寸与哈勃空间望远镜（Hubble Space Telescope，HST）相同，但在每次拍摄时能观测到100倍的天空区域。这是可能的，因为与HST相比，RST的主镜弯曲程度更高，其副镜（secondary mirror）距离更近，且主相机更大。其结果是RST能够更快速地检查更多的天空区域，这很可能在其他能力之外，使我们能够发现更多的超新星（supernova），从而告诉我们更多关于宇宙膨胀率（expansion rate）和组成的信息，并发现更多围绕其他恒星（star）运行的行星（planet），从而告诉我们更多关于宇宙中其他地方存在生命的可能性。RST将像韦布空间望远镜（James Webb Space Telescope）一样绕太阳运行，而不是绕地球（Earth）运行。视频展示了罗曼望远镜昨天从美国佛罗里达州肯尼迪空间中心（Kennedy Space Center）搭乘SpaceX猎鹰重型火箭发射升空的场景。

Explanation: A new telescope has been launched into space to study the universe. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (RST) has the same size main mirror as the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) but sees 100 times more sky during each snapshot. This is possible because when compared to HST, RST's main mirror is more curved, its secondary mirror is closer, and its main camera is larger. The result is that RST can inspect more of the sky more quickly, likely allowing, among other capabilities, the discovery of many more supernovas which tell us more about the expansion rate and composition of our universe, and many more planets orbiting other stars that tell us more about the possibilities for life elsewhere in the universe. RST will orbit the Sun, not the Earth, like the James Webb Space Telescope. The featured video shows Roman being launched yesterday from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.

图注：罗曼望远镜从肯尼迪空间中心发射升空。