Eric the Heliophysicist
@eric-helio.bsky.social
Scientist, kayaker, photographer, computer nerd, and scientist.
A new #NASA press release on our #IMAPMission first light science.nasa.gov/science-rese... . Everything is looking very good. I'm expecting great science out of IMAP - Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe over the next few years. ⚛️🧪
NASA’s IMAP Mission Captures ‘First Light,’ Looks Back at Earth - NASA Science
All 10 instruments aboard NASA’s newly launched IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe) mission have successfully recorded their first measurements
science.nasa.gov
December 16, 2025 at 3:47 PM
A new #NASA press release on our #IMAPMission first light science.nasa.gov/science-rese... . Everything is looking very good. I'm expecting great science out of IMAP - Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe over the next few years. ⚛️🧪
My Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (#IMAPMission) launched Wednesday morning (9/24)on a Falcon 9 from KSC (Pad 39A). It also had two secondary payloads, Carruthers and SWFO-L1. A fantastic launch. I'm Deputy PI and one of the instrument leads. ⚛️🧪
September 26, 2025 at 12:03 AM
My Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (#IMAPMission) launched Wednesday morning (9/24)on a Falcon 9 from KSC (Pad 39A). It also had two secondary payloads, Carruthers and SWFO-L1. A fantastic launch. I'm Deputy PI and one of the instrument leads. ⚛️🧪
Another early morning kayaking on the Rocky Gorge Reservoir. Daybreak is coming later (6 AM is still quite dark). But any trip where I see otters is a good trip.
August 24, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Another early morning kayaking on the Rocky Gorge Reservoir. Daybreak is coming later (6 AM is still quite dark). But any trip where I see otters is a good trip.
Cool pictures of #IMAPmission (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe) being fueled will follow, but here's the latest blog from NASA. #IMAPLaunch is a little more than a month. Go IMAP! ⚛️🧪https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/imap/2025/08/19/nasa-moves-heliosphere-mapping-spacecraft-for-fueling/
NASA Moves Heliosphere Mapping Spacecraft for Fueling - NASA Science
Technicians continue preparing NASA’s IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe) mission for its upcoming launch. The team moved the observatory to
science.nasa.gov
August 20, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Cool pictures of #IMAPmission (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe) being fueled will follow, but here's the latest blog from NASA. #IMAPLaunch is a little more than a month. Go IMAP! ⚛️🧪https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/imap/2025/08/19/nasa-moves-heliosphere-mapping-spacecraft-for-fueling/
Currently working in a cleanroom near Kennedy Space Center on my instrument (HIT, the High-energy Ion Telescope) for the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (#IMAPMission). My instrument is right above my shoulder. #IMAPLaunch is less than fifty days away! 🧪⚛️ imap.princeton.edu
August 6, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Currently working in a cleanroom near Kennedy Space Center on my instrument (HIT, the High-energy Ion Telescope) for the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (#IMAPMission). My instrument is right above my shoulder. #IMAPLaunch is less than fifty days away! 🧪⚛️ imap.princeton.edu
The mother raccoon has been coming to our bird feeders for a couple of weeks. This evening, she brought her three kids.
July 26, 2025 at 12:19 AM
The mother raccoon has been coming to our bird feeders for a couple of weeks. This evening, she brought her three kids.
⚛️🧪 The Exploratorium has put out a great new video talking about their 25 years of solar eclipse shows. I've been lucky to work with them on a number of eclipse shows and it's been a blast!
www.exploratorium.edu/video/explor...
www.exploratorium.edu/video/explor...
The Exploratorium brings total solar eclipses to audiences around the world. | Exploratorium
www.exploratorium.edu
July 15, 2025 at 12:49 PM
⚛️🧪 The Exploratorium has put out a great new video talking about their 25 years of solar eclipse shows. I've been lucky to work with them on a number of eclipse shows and it's been a blast!
www.exploratorium.edu/video/explor...
www.exploratorium.edu/video/explor...
Another trip to NASA's Kennedy Space Center this week, so more wildlife photos (Black Point Wildlife Drive). It's the first time I've seen wild pigs. Descriptions with photos. Go IMAP - Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe!
July 11, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Another trip to NASA's Kennedy Space Center this week, so more wildlife photos (Black Point Wildlife Drive). It's the first time I've seen wild pigs. Descriptions with photos. Go IMAP - Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe!
I was at Kennedy Space Center for my IMAP - Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe mission this week. I did get one morning to take the Black Point Wildlife Drive, which I always try to do when I'm down there.
June 13, 2025 at 4:50 AM
I was at Kennedy Space Center for my IMAP - Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe mission this week. I did get one morning to take the Black Point Wildlife Drive, which I always try to do when I'm down there.
A new NASA blog post on our Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP #IMAPMission) as we arrive in Florida for final launch prep. I'll be down there next week and launch is scheduled for September. ⚛️🧪
science.nasa.gov/blogs/imap/2...
science.nasa.gov/blogs/imap/2...
NASA’s IMAP Spacecraft Readied for Launch Preparations - NASA Science
Technicians removed NASA’s IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe) spacecraft from its shipping container on Thursday, May 29, after transferring
science.nasa.gov
June 3, 2025 at 3:25 PM
A new NASA blog post on our Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP #IMAPMission) as we arrive in Florida for final launch prep. I'll be down there next week and launch is scheduled for September. ⚛️🧪
science.nasa.gov/blogs/imap/2...
science.nasa.gov/blogs/imap/2...
We very occasionally get a Flying Squirrel coming to our deck feeders (at night). This is one of the better clips.
May 31, 2025 at 11:07 PM
We very occasionally get a Flying Squirrel coming to our deck feeders (at night). This is one of the better clips.
A beautiful morning to go kayaking (Rocky Gorge Reservoir, Maryland). Didn't take too many photos. The best was a Killdeer in the early morning light.
May 18, 2025 at 3:43 PM
A beautiful morning to go kayaking (Rocky Gorge Reservoir, Maryland). Didn't take too many photos. The best was a Killdeer in the early morning light.
A new NASA blog about our spacecraft that is launching this Fall: The Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP).
🧪⚛️
I'm excited!
science.nasa.gov/blogs/imap/2...
🧪⚛️
I'm excited!
science.nasa.gov/blogs/imap/2...
NASA’s IMAP Completes Thermal Vacuum Testing Campaign - NASA Science
NASA’s IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe) has successfully completed thermal vacuum testing at the agency’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, as part of its journey ...
science.nasa.gov
May 7, 2025 at 6:35 PM
A new NASA blog about our spacecraft that is launching this Fall: The Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP).
🧪⚛️
I'm excited!
science.nasa.gov/blogs/imap/2...
🧪⚛️
I'm excited!
science.nasa.gov/blogs/imap/2...
Sometimes the net gives you something you didn't know you needed. Here is "Everybody want to rule the world" in Classic Latin.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtt7...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtt7...
Everybody wants to rule the world cover in Classical Latin (SOFTBARDCORE)
YouTube video by the_miracle_aligner
www.youtube.com
January 29, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Sometimes the net gives you something you didn't know you needed. Here is "Everybody want to rule the world" in Classic Latin.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtt7...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtt7...
We received the signal that the Parker Solar Probe spacecraft went through closest approach to the Sun with no problems. The data will start getting transmitted in less than a week. blogs.nasa.gov/parkersolarp...
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Reports Successful Closest Approach to Sun – Parker Solar Probe
blogs.nasa.gov
December 27, 2024 at 7:43 AM
We received the signal that the Parker Solar Probe spacecraft went through closest approach to the Sun with no problems. The data will start getting transmitted in less than a week. blogs.nasa.gov/parkersolarp...
Xkcd has another take on the closest perihelion of Parker Solar Probe on December 24. But a miss is still a miss :-) xkcd.com/3029/
Sun Avoidance
xkcd.com
December 26, 2024 at 3:46 PM
Xkcd has another take on the closest perihelion of Parker Solar Probe on December 24. But a miss is still a miss :-) xkcd.com/3029/
Early this morning, #ParkerSolarProbe did its first closest approach (perihelion) to the Sun, 3.8 million miles from the surface. Perihelion will stay at this distance unless we change it. Friday, we will get the all-clear message, with the data in a couple of weeks. blogs.nasa.gov/parkersolarp...
Parker Solar Probe
blogs.nasa.gov
December 24, 2024 at 3:35 PM
Early this morning, #ParkerSolarProbe did its first closest approach (perihelion) to the Sun, 3.8 million miles from the surface. Perihelion will stay at this distance unless we change it. Friday, we will get the all-clear message, with the data in a couple of weeks. blogs.nasa.gov/parkersolarp...
We've got an official date for the launch of my IMAP - Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe mission. blogs.nasa.gov/imap/2024/12...
NASA Targets September 2025 Launch for Heliophysics Missions – IMAP Mission
blogs.nasa.gov
December 21, 2024 at 4:17 PM
We've got an official date for the launch of my IMAP - Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe mission. blogs.nasa.gov/imap/2024/12...
Our Flying Squirrel has returned:
December 20, 2024 at 8:12 PM
Our Flying Squirrel has returned:
Last night we finally got a movie on our backyard deckcam of something I've been wanting to see for a while: a flying squirrel! Howard County, MD.
November 25, 2024 at 1:11 AM
Last night we finally got a movie on our backyard deckcam of something I've been wanting to see for a while: a flying squirrel! Howard County, MD.