The IMAP-Lo instrument collects, counts, categorizes, and maps interstellar neutral atoms (ISN) and energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) of energies less than 40 kiloelectron volts (keV). IMAP-Lo is mounted on a pivot platform that allows it to adjust its field-of-view to capture data across almost the entire sky, and to measure interstellar neutral atoms throughout most of the year. is a single-pixel neutral The smallest particle of an element that exhibits the chemical properties of the element. imager that delivers energy and position measurements of low-energy Interstellar Neutral (ISN) atoms tracked over the From the Earth, the apparent yearly path on the celestial sphere of the Sun with respect to the stars; also, the plane of the earth's orbit. An east-west coordinate measured on the surface of a sphere. Longitude needs a reference point and has a range of either 0 degrees to 360 degrees, or -180 degrees (west) to +180 degrees (east). >180° and global maps of Atoms with no charge that move very quickly. These atoms have equal numbers of positively-charged protons and negatively-charged electrons. ENAs form when charged particles from the solar wind travel outward and encounter atoms from the interstellar medium. Because the ENAs are neutral, they do not react to any magnetic fields. Some of these ENAs travel toward the inner solar system and are captured by the IMAP spacecraft. (Energetic Neutral Atoms are atoms with no charge that move very quickly. These atoms have equal numbers of positively-charged protons and negatively-charged electrons. ENAs form when charged particles from the solar wind travel outward and encounter atoms from the interstellar medium. Because the ENAs are neutral, they do not react to any magnetic fields. Some of these ENAs travel toward the inner solar system and are captured by the IMAP spacecraft.). Mounted on a pivot platform, IMAP-Lo tracks the flow of these ions through the The interstellar material surrounding our solar system found directly outside of the heliosphere. (The local interstellar medium is the interstellar material surrounding our solar system found directly outside of the heliosphere.) to precisely determine the species-dependent flow speed, A measure of the average random speeds of the microscopic particles in a substance., and direction of the LISM that surrounds, interacts with, and determines the outer boundaries of the global The bubble-like region surrounding the solar system inflated by the solar wind, shielding the solar system from interstellar radiation.. IMAP-Lo uses the pivoting field of view (The field-of-view is the area or region that can be observed or captured by a particular instrument or sensor.) to view variable angles out to 90° from the spin axis. This assists IMAP-Lo to pinpoint the intersection between the ISN inflow speed and longitude to uniquely determine the LISM flow vector. Data from IMAP-Lo helps us see from inside the heliosphere what it is like just outside the solar system, our local neighborhood.
The reduced The phenomenon where waves, such as radio signals or light waves, overlap and combine, affecting the accuracy of measurements. This can occur when signals from different sources mix, leading to distortion of data or reduction in the clarity of received information. of the Earth’s The region around a planetary body dominated by the planet’s magnetic interference. at IMAP’s An orbital path in space about one million miles from Earth towards the Sun that is without any magnetic interference from the planets. (Lagrange Point 1 is an orbital path in space about one million miles from Earth towards the Sun that is without any magnetic interference from the planets.) location, which is about one million miles from Earth towards the Sun, paired with the pivoting FOV, improves the amount of ISN atoms collected and allows for tracking the speed and direction of the ISN flow for most of an entire year.
IMAP-Lo design and assembly is led by the University of New Hampshire (UNH) in collaboration with Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), John Hopkins APL, and University of Bern (UBe).