"The Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe is a new NASA mission that studies three things, basically. It studies the material coming out from the sun. Second, it follows the solar wind all the way out to the boundaries of our heliosphere. And then thirdly, we have space weather, which is very important for our technological society, which is material coming out from the sun that can accelerate particles that have a large impact on our space environment and can cause solar storms here at Earth."
"The destination - the spot in between the sun and the Earth where the gravitational pull between the two are in equilibrium. Why there? And what are scientists hoping to learn? We're joined now by Princeton University astrophysics professor David McComas, who is the principal investigator of the primary mission. DAVID MCCOMAS: Hi. Great to be with you. LIMBONG: So let's just start at the beginning. What is your project hoping to study?"
A SpaceX rocket launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida carrying multiple spacecraft destined for the point between the sun and Earth where gravitational pulls are in equilibrium. The mission, led by Princeton astrophysicist David McComas, is the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP). IMAP will study material emitted by the sun, follow the solar wind out to the heliosphere's boundaries, and investigate space weather processes that accelerate particles and can cause solar storms. The heliosphere is the region of influence of the sun, and space weather affects communications, GPS, and other technologies.
Read at www.npr.org
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