My IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe) mission has just released its first set of public data: imap.princeton.edu/news/imap-re... We launched on 24 Sep 2025 and were on station at the Sun-Earth L1 point on 1 Feb 2026. I'm Deputy PI and the lead for the HIT instrument.⚛️🧪

IMAP Releases First Set of Science Data

NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe released its first set of science data today, July 29, 2026. After its successful launch on September 24, 2025, and arrival at L1, IMAP’s prime missi...

imap.princeton.edu

Early morning kayaking is one of the ways I get both exercise and relaxation. I bring a reasonable camera (Canon EOS 80D with a Canon EFS 18-200 zoom). Here are some photos from this morning (5/17/26) on the Rocky Gorge Reservoir in Maryland. Descriptions in the ALT text.

Our new Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe spacecraft is on station at the Earth-Sun L1 Lagrange point and starting its prime mission! ⚛️🧪 science.nasa.gov/blogs/imap/2...

NASA’s IMAP Begins Primary Science Mission - NASA Science

NASA’s IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe) began its two-year primary science mission on Feb. 1 to explore and map the boundaries of our

science.nasa.gov

I’ve finally gotten around to reading @scalzi.com’s “When the Moon hits your Eye” (it’s been busy). I’m really enjoying it, but as a NASA Heliophysicist, I especially liked the SNL musical group, the Carrington Event ( it’s in Wikipedia). 🧪⚛️

We had a whole flock of Cedar Waxwings descend on a bush with berries next to our deck. It wasn't easy taking pictures through a window at a sharp angle, but some of them came out. Howard County, MD.

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

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.

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

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.

⚛️🧪 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...

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.

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...

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

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.

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...

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

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...

Everybody wants to rule the world cover in Classical Latin (SOFTBARDCORE)

YouTube video by the_miracle_aligner

youtube.com

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

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...

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.