BackForwardInstrument:  IMAP-Lo 

Instrument details
Acronym IMAP-Lo
Full name IMAP Low energy neutral atoms
Purpose To detect low energetic neutral atoms to create maps from the solar system’s outer edge, enabling scientists to map the boundary between Solar System and interstellar space.
Short description A single-pixel neutral atom imager that gives energy and angle-resolved measurements of ISN atoms (H, He, O, Ne, and D) tracked over >180° for the energy range 0.01-1 keV.
Background Has heritage from IBEX-Lo
Scanning Technique Viewing using a pivot platform from widely separated vantage points (across >180 deg in ecliptic longitude)
Resolution
Coverage / Cycle Resolves the evolution of ENA fluxes down to six-month timescales.
Mass Power Data Rate

 

Providing Agency NASA
Instrument Maturity Flown on operational programme
Utilization Period: TBD
Last update: 2023-02-13
Detailed characteristics
Satellites this instrument is flying on

Note: a red tag indicates satellites no longer operational, a green tag indicates operational satellites, a blue tag indicates future satellites

Instrument classification
  • Solar and space environment monitors
  • Energetic particle spectrometer
WIGOS Subcomponents
  • Subcomponent 3
  • Neutral and Ion Mass Spectrometer
  • Energetic Neutral Atom spectrometer [from LEO and HEO]
Mission objectives
Primary mission objectives
  • Energetic Neutral Atom (ENA)
Evaluation of Measurements

The following list indicates which measurements can typically be retrieved from this category of instrument. To see a full Gap Analysis by Variable, click on the respective variable.

Note: table can be sorted by clicking on the column headers
Note: * Primary mission objective.
VariableRelevance for measuring this variableOperational limitationsExplanation
Energetic Neutral Atom (ENA)*3 - highNo specific limitation.Interplanetary space, low energy (over 10 up to 10000 eV)