WEDNSEDAY NOVEMBER 12TH
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The Science and Development of the Roman Space Telescope's Coronagraph Instrument
Dr. Vanessa Bailey, Dr. Eric Cady, Dr. Brian Monacelli
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Abstract: The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Coronagraph Instrument (CGI) is a critical technology demonstrator for NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory. With a demonstrated visible-light flux ratio detection limit of better than 10-8, it will be capable of directly imaging both gas giant exoplanets and circumstellar disks.
CGI completed its integration and test at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Spring 2024 and is currently undergoing further environmental testing while integrated into the Roman Space Telescope (RST) observatory. The RST is scheduled for launch in 2026. This talk will review the coronagraphy science, CGI observing modes and applications, and highlight its optical alignment, integration, and thermal-vacuum test results.

The Coronograph Instrument (link)

Vanessa Bailey Eric Cady Brian Monacelli
Vanessa Bailey is an exoplanet research scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She is a member of the science team for NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Coronagraph Instrument and has also been a science team member on several other ground-based high-contrast imaging facilities including the Large Binocular Telescope and the Gemini Telescope. She received her BS from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities and her PhD from the University of Arizona.
Eric Cady is an optical engineer in the high-contrast imaging group at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the lead for High-order Wavefront Sensing and Control (HOWFSC) on the Coronagraph Instrument (CGI) for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. His research interests include coronagraphy, wavefront control systems, and starshades. He received his B.S. in physics from Caltech in 2005 and a Ph.D. in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Princeton University in 2010.
Brian Monacelli is a principal optical engineer and technical group supervisor at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he led the optical assembly and alignment of the Coronagraph Instrument for the Roman Space Telescope and the SHERLOC Instrument of the Mars2020 Perseverance Rover, among other optical instruments. He teaches technicians to learn hands-on laboratory skills via the Pasadena City College Laser Technology program. He also serves on the Optics and Electro-Optics Standards Council, where he supports development of optics standards.
Combined In-Person Meeting & Webinar
6:00 pm: In-Person Reception
7:00 pm: On-line Login & Networking
7:00 pm: Dinner
7:30 pm: OSSC Business
8:00 pm: Technical Presentation
Dinner Fee:
Dinner for all attendees is being sponsored by:

Registration Required
Online Registration until Tuesday, November 11, 2025
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