Phys.org March 26, 2018
The magnetosphere was key to helping Earth develop into a habitable planet. NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS) was launched in March 2015 to observe the electron physics of magnetic reconnection for the first time. Bristling with energetic particle detectors and magnetic sensors, the four MMS spacecraft flew in close formation to areas on the front side of Earth’s magnetosphere where magnetic reconnection occurs. Data from investigations by NASA and partner agencies not only help unravel the fundamental physics of space, but also help improve space weather forecasting. Understanding our magnetosphere is a key element to helping scientists someday forecast space weather that can affect Earth’s technology… read more. Video