NASA’s Roman Mission Will Use Exploding Stars to Measure Cosmic Distances

Astronomers face challenges in measuring distances in the universe due to the similarity in appearance of galaxies at different distances. They use 'standard candles' like type 1a supernovae, which emit a known amount of light, to calculate distances. These supernovae involve white dwarfs in binary systems and are rare but observable across many galaxies. The upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will enhance the detection of these supernovae, improving distance measurement accuracy and contributing to a better understanding of the universe's expansion and evolution.

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