NASA Advances Two Missions to Study EarthS Magnetosphere and the Sun’s Chromosphere
Table of Contents
NASA is bolstering its heliophysics research portfolio, selecting one mission concept for advanced design and another for extended study, both aimed at unraveling the mysteries of space weather and its impact on our planet and beyond. The selections, made by the Science mission Directorate Science Management Council, represent a significant step toward understanding the complex interactions between the Sun, Earth, and the broader solar system.
The agency has greenlit the CINEMA (Cross-scale Examination of Earth’s Magnetotail and Aurora) mission to enter Phase B growth, a crucial stage involving detailed planning and design for flight and mission operations. Concurrently, the CMEx (Chromospheric Magnetism Explorer) mission will undergo an extended Phase A study to further refine its concept.
Unlocking the Secrets of Earth’s Magnetic Field with CINEMA
CINEMA, led by robyn Millan of Dartmouth College, will focus on the Earth’s magnetosphere – the protective magnetic bubble surrounding our planet.The mission aims to improve our understanding of how plasma energy flows into this region, a process that drives phenomena like the aurora borealis and can disrupt satellite communications and power grids.
“The CINEMA mission will help us to research magnetic convection in earth’s magnetosphere – a critical piece of the puzzle in understanding why some space weather events are so influential, such as causing splendid aurora displays and impacts to ground- and space-based infrastructure, and others seem to fizzle out,” explained a senior official at NASA Headquarters.
The mission will employ a unique approach: a constellation of nine small satellites equipped with energetic particle detectors, auroral imagers, and magnetometers. These spacecraft will operate in a polar low Earth orbit, gathering simultaneous measurements to connect energetic activity in the magnetosphere to the visible auroral displays in the ionosphere. NASA has initially allocated approximately $28 million for Phase B, with the total mission cost, excluding launch, capped at $182.8 million. If selected for launch, CINEMA is currently slated to launch no earlier than 2030.
Did you know?-The aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, are a visible result of energetic particles from the sun interacting with Earth’s atmosphere. CINEMA will help scientists understand the processes that drive these displays.
CMEx: Peering into the Sun’s Chromosphere
The CMEx mission, spearheaded by Holly Gilbert of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, will turn its gaze toward the Sun. This proposed single-spacecraft mission will leverage existing UV spectropolarimetric instrumentation, previously demonstrated during NASA’s CLASP sounding rocket flight, to study the lower layers of the Sun’s chromosphere.
the goal is to understand the origins of solar eruptions and identify the magnetic sources of the solar wind – a stream of charged particles constantly emitted by the Sun. Understanding these processes is vital for predicting space weather events that can impact Earth and other planets. The extended Phase A study will receive $2 million in funding over 12 months, allowing the team to assess and refine the mission’s design.
Pro tip:-Space weather can disrupt technologies we rely on daily,including GPS,radio communications,and power grids. Studying the sun helps us prepare for and mitigate these risks.
A Growing Need for Heliophysics Research
Both missions emerged from a one-year early concept study responding to the 2022 Heliophysics Explorers Program Small-class Explorer (SMEX) announcement of Opportunity. The selections underscore NASA’s increasing focus on heliophysics, recognizing the growing importance of understanding and mitigating the risks posed by space weather.
“Space is becoming increasingly more critically important and plays a role in just about everything we do,” stated Asal Naseri, acting associate flight director for heliophysics at NASA Headquarters. “These mission concepts, if advanced to flight, will improve our ability to predict solar events that could harm satellites that we rely on every day and mitigate danger to astronauts near Earth, at the Moon, or Mars.”
These investments in space-based observation represent a proactive approach to safeguarding our technological infrastructure and ensuring the safety of future space exploration endeavors.
Reader question:-Why study the sun? The sun constantly emits energy and particles. Understanding this activity is crucial for protecting our technology and astronauts in space.
