The main course correcting / fine-tuning burns are complete. Roman is on her way to L2 — just over a million miles out, into the blackness.

Yesterday, the team was able to switch on the very high tech, next-gen coronagraph — a software and deformable mirror system far more advanced than a simple hood over the scope (though it features one of those as well). This is a high tech starlight shield of sorts — to block out excess stray starlight, when gazing at a particlar exo-planetary (or even dark energy) target.

Do watch the NASA explainer video at bottom. And, it is a near certainty now that Roman will achieve most of her interstellar space / science missions. Here’s the latest — with one more optional (if needed) very short course correcting burn next week:

…NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope team has successfully activated the mission’s Coronagraph Instrument, which will block starlight to view planets and dusty disks around nearby stars. Now the instrument will undergo a monthslong series of calibrations and tests prior to beginning full science operations.

The coronagraph power-on began at 7:27 a.m. EDT and completed at 8:22 a.m. on Sept. 1.

The Roman Coronagraph is a system of optics, masks, self-flexing mirrors, and sensors designed to demonstrate the most advanced technologies ever flown in space for directly imaging planets around other stars. It will block the glare from stars and make it possible for scientists to see the faint reflected light from planets in orbit around them….

Getting very excited now — to see all my kiddos — and extended family, gathered on the Côte-d’Or in a few days… for a month — then on, to Florence, Italy… smile.

नमस्ते