A new NASA telescope, expected to be operational in the mid-2020s, will offer a view 100 times wider than the famous Hubble telescope, USA Today is reporting.
The WFIRST telescope is expected to find millions of galaxies with one image and discover new exoplanets, according to a video posted on the newspaper’s website. NASA officials also anticipate the telescope will help uncover the mysteries of dark matter and energy.
The telescope will utilize one of the most sensitive coronagraphs ever, which will enable it to block out light of individual stars and find surrounding planets.
WFIRST is expected to launch in about five to seven years on a six-year mission.
NASA said the telescope is also designed to settle essential questions in the area of infrared astrophysics. The budget for the project is $3.2 billion.