MAG Instrument
IMAP’s The Magnetometer (MAG) instrument 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. It consists of two fluxgate magnetometers installed on a boom arm that will deploy post-launch, extending the instruments away from the spacecraft to minimize magnetic interference of spacecraft and instrument electrical systems. instrument is a A device used to measure the intensity and direction of the local magnetic field. which measures the strength and direction of the Magnetism is one of the basic forces of the universe. A magnetic field is a region of magnetism, which is caused by either moving electric charges or magnetic materials. in The area of space found surrounding and between planets of a star system. as the field is carried past the IMAP spacecraft by the A stream of charged particles, mostly protons and electrons, that escapes into the Sun's outer atmosphere at high speeds and streams out into the solar system in all directions.. This magnetic field is an important part of The conditions and activity observed in interplanetary space caused by the Sun’s activity, such as solar flares, solar storms, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Severe space weather conditions directed towards Earth can impact infrastructure and technology on Earth, as well as satellites, spacecraft, and astronauts in its trajectory. 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 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. 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 Any spacecraft generates a magnetic field, and that magnetic field changes with time. This field combines with (interferes with) the interplanetary magnetic field that a magnetometer is trying to observe. Luckily the spacecraft magnetic field gets smaller as you get farther from the main spacecraft. Putting a magnetometer out on a boom reduces the interference and so the magnetometer can get a more accurate measurement of the interplanetary magnetic field. 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 The Magnetometer (MAG) instrument 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. It consists of two fluxgate magnetometers installed on a boom arm that will deploy post-launch, extending the instruments away from the spacecraft to minimize magnetic interference of spacecraft and instrument electrical systems. instrument is a A device used to measure the intensity and direction of the local magnetic field. which measures the very small magnetic fields in the A stream of charged particles, mostly protons and electrons, that escapes into the Sun's outer atmosphere at high speeds and streams out into the solar system in all directions. near the spacecraft. The Magnetism is one of the basic forces of the universe. A magnetic field is a region of magnetism, which is caused by either moving electric charges or magnetic materials. 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 The conditions and activity observed in interplanetary space caused by the Sun’s activity, such as solar flares, solar storms, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Severe space weather conditions directed towards Earth can impact infrastructure and technology on Earth, as well as satellites, spacecraft, and astronauts in its trajectory. system which transmits to Earth continuously. This gives scientists information about magnetic field fluctuations in the solar wind in near real A measure of the flow of events..
Explore the MAG Model
How We Use MAG Data
The information that we receive from The Magnetometer (MAG) instrument 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. It consists of two fluxgate magnetometers installed on a boom arm that will deploy post-launch, extending the instruments away from the spacecraft to minimize magnetic interference of spacecraft and instrument electrical systems. is used for two primary purposes. By measuring the magnetic fields in the A stream of charged particles, mostly protons and electrons, that escapes into the Sun's outer atmosphere at high speeds and streams out into the solar system in all directions., scientists can better understand the formation of, structure, and dynamics of the The bubble-like region surrounding the solar system inflated by the solar wind, shielding the solar system from interstellar radiation. that surrounds our solar system.
Secondly, having near-real A measure of the flow of events. information about changes in the Magnetism is one of the basic forces of the universe. A magnetic field is a region of magnetism, which is caused by either moving electric charges or magnetic materials. 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 A device used to measure the intensity and direction of the local magnetic field.. 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
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.