Massive objects in space can bend light, a phenomenon that allows scientists to study distant celestial objects in unique ways. NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, launched on August 30, 2026, is on a mission to explore some of the universe’s biggest mysteries, such as dark energy and the formation of galaxies. It will also search for exoplanets—planets outside our solar system—but using a method that differs from traditional approaches. Rather than directly observing planets, the Roman telescope will look for changes in the brightness of distant stars. This technique is based on a fascinating effect from Einstein’s theory of gravity: massive objects can bend light, acting like a natural magnifying glass. This phenomenon is known as gravitational microlensing. When a star passes in front of a more distant star, its gravity bends the light from the background star, making it appear brighter. This effect is temporary, as the stars are constantly moving. If the foreground star has a planet, the planet’s gravity can cause an additional, short-lived change in the brightness of the distant star. By observing these subtle variations, astronomers can infer the presence of a planet, even if it is too faint or distant to see directly. This method is especially useful for finding planets that are far from their stars, which are harder to detect using other techniques. To maximize the chances of detecting these rare alignments, the Roman telescope will repeatedly observe millions of stars in the crowded center of the Milky Way. It will take images every 12 minutes during several observing seasons, greatly increasing the likelihood of capturing microlensing events. This survey is expected to discover more than 1,000 planets on wide orbits, which are less commonly found by other methods. The telescope’s wide field of view and infrared imaging capabilities make it uniquely suited for this task. In addition to microlensing, Roman will also detect planets using the transit method, where a planet passing in front of its star causes a slight dimming of the star’s light. These two methods will reveal different types of planets: transits tend to find planets close to their stars, while microlensing is more sensitive to planets on wider, colder orbits. Roman will also search for free-floating planets—planets that wander the galaxy without orbiting a star—by detecting their gravitational effects on background stars. By using multiple techniques, Roman will provide a more complete picture of the diversity of planetary systems in our galaxy. This information will help scientists understand what kinds of planets and systems are common in the universe, offering insights into how planetary systems form and evolve. In doing so, Roman will use one of nature’s most powerful tools: gravity itself.