The observation points will be in pyramid formation, perfect to provide 3-D views of the magnetic reconnection over the next two years.
Magnetic reconnection
What magnetic reconnection is about is when magnetic fields, like those around Earth and the sun, come together, break apart, then come together again — releasing gigantic amounts on Earth. Incoming data over the next two years will help NASA scientists better understand space weather and how it affects earth and the sun.
Space observatories
Individual observatories looks like a huge medicine wheel. The wheel’s dimensions stretch over 11 feet across and four feet high. Each, but will be stacked on top of the rocket. One by one, the observatories will be lifted off within five minutes of one another.
By today, the long, sensor-laden booms should be extended, with each spacecraft spanning a baseball field. According to principal investigator, Jim Burch from the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, measurements will be made to the electron scale. They will be significantly smaller than the previous heliophysics missions. this makes the total of 100 science sensors. “Primary science-gathering will begin this summer, following a five-month checkout.”
Better understanding of the magnetic reconnection
At a cost of $1.1 billion dollars, what the observatories will be sending back will help NASA scientists understand the magnetic fields in space, particularly those around Earth and the sun, and eventually the universe. “We’re not setting out here to solve space weather,” Burch said. “We’re setting out to learn the fundamental features of magnetic reconnection because that’s what drives space weather.”
