BROOMFIELD, Colo., Dec. 12,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ball Aerospace was selected to
manage a concept study for NASA's Chromospheric Magnetism Explorer
(CMEx), a proposed mission concept that could provide new insights
into how magnetism drives eruptive activity on and near the surface
of the sun. The science of CMEx aims to help the scientific
community better its understanding of our sun and its impacts on
space, Earth and other planets.
The prospective mission concept would use a near ultraviolet
spectropolarimeter as its primary scientific instrument to make
novel observations of the sun's magnetic field as it evolves from
the photosphere through the chromosphere, the layer of the sun's
atmosphere above the visible surface. This data will give
scientists a better understanding of how magnetic energy buildup
leads to eruptions such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections,
a major gap in our current heliophysics research capabilities.
CMEx also aims to identify the magnetic sources of solar wind,
which would help explain discrepancies between observed magnetic
flux near the solar surface and the magnetic flux measured near the
Earth — called the "open flux problem" — which currently makes
space weather predictions less accurate.
"The CMEx mission concept provides a unique opportunity to
answer some of the biggest questions we still have about the sun,
and it could help to mature our spectropolarimetry capabilities
considerably," said Lisa Wood,
senior director, Strategic Operations, Ball Aerospace. "We're
excited about the prospect of leading such a fascinating
mission."
Dr. Holly Gilbert, director of
the National Center for Atmospheric Research's (NCAR) High Altitude
Observatory (HAO), will serve as the principal investigator for the
nine-month study. If CMEx is down-selected at the end of the
Explorers Program concept study, the investigation will move into
detailed design and, pending a successful preliminary design
review, mission implementation. NCAR/HAO will lead the science
mission, and Ball Aerospace will manage the project, build the
state-of-the-art spectropolarimeter and spacecraft, and operate the
mission. The project continues Ball Aerospace's legacy of providing
reliable, cutting-edge hardware for NASA's Explorers program.
Powered by endlessly curious people with an unwavering mission
focus, Ball Aerospace pioneers discoveries that enable our
customers to perform beyond expectation and protect what matters
most. We create innovative space solutions, enable more accurate
weather forecasts, drive insightful observations of our planet,
deliver actionable data and intelligence, and ensure those who
defend our freedom go forward bravely and return home safely. Go
Beyond with Ball.® For more information, visit
www.ball.com/aerospace or connect with us on Facebook or
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About Ball Corporation
Ball Corporation (NYSE: BALL) supplies innovative, sustainable
aluminum packaging solutions for beverage, personal care and
household products customers, as well as aerospace and other
technologies and services primarily for the U.S. government. Ball
Corporation and its subsidiaries employ 21,000 people worldwide and
reported 2022 net sales of $15.35 billion. For more
information, visit www.ball.com, or connect with us
on Facebook or Twitter.
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