NASA's newly launched Roman Space Telescope will 'directly' image exoplanets. But what does that mean?

The recently deployed NASA Roman Space Telescope is poised to revolutionize our understanding of exoplanets by directly imaging them. This groundbreaking capability represents a significant advancement in astronomy’s ability to study these distant worlds. The telescope’s primary mission involves observing individual exoplanets orbiting other stars. Scientists believe that this direct observation method offers unparalleled insights into their atmospheres and compositions. By providing detailed data on exoplanet characteristics, the Roman Space Telescope will contribute significantly to ongoing research regarding planetary formation and potential habitability.