Published: April 28, 2017
NASA MMS Mission rendering

On Wednesday, May 3, LASP space physics research scientist Allison Jaynes will present early results from the NASA Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) MissionÌýand the key role plays in the mission.

MMS launched in March 2015, placingÌýfour identical spacecraft into orbit around Earth to study a little-understood phenomenon called magnetic reconnection.

If you go

Who: Open to the public
°Â³ó²¹³Ù:ÌýNASA’s MMS Mission: Revolutionizing Our Understanding of Magnetic Reconnection
When: Wednesday, May 3, 7:30 p.m.
Where: East Campus,ÌýLASP Space Technology Building, room 299

Magnetic reconnection is a fundamental process of nature that happens in charged particles all across our universe. Reconnection occurs when magnetic field lines meet and reconnect in a different configuration, releasing a gigantic burst of energy in the process.

Reconnection on the Sun-ward side of Earth contributes to plasma entry into Earth’s magnetosphere, while reconnection on the night-side triggers the burst of particles that results in auroral displays.

MMS is currently the only mission dedicated to the study of this phenomenon. Researchers are committed to answering questions surrounding the process of reconnection—questionsÌýfundamental to the nature of our universe—from the distant stars to nuclear fusion technology here on Earth.

Join JaynesÌýtoÌýlearn how studying our near-Earth environment with missions like MMS makes use of a unique, nearby laboratory to understand the physics of magnetic fields across the universe.

The presentation will start at 7:30 p.m. atÌýthe LASP Space Technology Building (LSTB), located at 1234 Innovation Dr. on the CU Â鶹ӰԺ East Campus Research Park.ÌýDoors open at 7 p.m.