Magnetometer (MAG)

MAG Instrument


MAG Instrument

 

IMAP’s MAG instrument is a magnetometer which measures the strength and direction of the magnetic field in interplanetary space as the field is carried past the IMAP spacecraft by the solar wind. This magnetic field is an important part of space weather and has its origin at the Sun, evolving as it travels to IMAP.

Each of IMAP’s 10 instruments have individual power systems that vary in high and low voltages when in use. IMAP also has a spacecraft electrical system to power all the instruments and its communications with scientists back on Earth. MAG is highly sensitive to any magnetic effects, including those created by electrical currents. It must be able to measure the magnetic changes in the solar wind without any interference from magnetic effects created by IMAP’s own electrical systems. MAG’s placement on IMAP is critical to ensure this, as is its design. To help eliminate the magnetic interference from the spacecraft, MAG’s sensors are mounted on a long arm, called a boom, that unfolds into position after launch.

How It Works

The MAG instrument is a magnetometer which measures the very small magnetic fields in the solar wind near the spacecraft. The magnetic field is important because it controls how charged particles move in space and are accelerated at shock waves. MAG has two sensors which each measure the strength and direction of the magnetic field many times every second. The two sensors are spaced apart on the boom that extends them away from the spacecraft to keep them away from the magnetic fields made by the spacecraft itself.

The magnetic field signals pass through an electrical processor that produces digital readings which are then transmitted to Earth. This data is also part of the IMAP space weather system which transmits to Earth continuously. This gives scientists information about magnetic field fluctuations in the solar wind in near real time.

Learn more about mag

Explore the MAG Model

How We Use MAG Data

The information that we receive from MAG is used for two primary purposes. By measuring the magnetic fields in the solar wind, scientists can better understand the formation of, structure, and dynamics of the heliosphere that surrounds our solar system.

Secondly, having near-real time information about changes in the magnetic field of the solar wind alerts scientists on Earth of any changes occurring that are potentially harmful for satellites, spacecraft, and astronauts and allow protective action to be taken.

 

Meet the Team

The MAG team of engineers is based entirely at Imperial College London, UK, led by Timothy Horbury and Helen O’Brien

It’s been a fantastic experience working on the IMAP magnetometer. We came onto the project late, and we’ve gone from getting our first funding to having the instrument working on the spacecraft in under three years, so although it hasn’t always been easy we’re really happy with what we’ve achieved. We’ve been really grateful for everyone’s support, both from the NASA and IMAP project leadership and from all the technical staff at Johns Hopkins APL, SwRI, and elsewhere. It will be great to see IMAP launch and we hope that the UK science community can make a significant contribution to IMAP’s science goals in the years ahead. 

- Timothy Horbury, Science Lead, MAG

Magnetometer Team Standing Outside of Building

The MAG team from left to right: Edward Fauchon-Jones, Chris Greenaway, Mihir Bharatia, Professor Tim Horbury, Alan Roberts, Alastair Crabtree, Helen O'Brien, Michele Facchinelli, and Maddie Tomes.