From the Moon, NASA’s LEXI Will Reveal Earth’s Magnetic Shield

Narration: Hyunju Connor

Transcript:

From the narrow field of view astrophysics observations, we’ve learned that our magnetosphere emits X-rays. Which resulted in this LEXI mission. And I'm excited that LEXI will give us image from the lunar surface – that fantastic location.

Hi. I'm Hyunju Connor, co-investigator of the Lunar Environment Heliospheric X-ray Imager, LEXI.

LEXI is a wide field of view soft X-ray telescope that will be deployed to the lunar surface.

LEXI is designed to study magnetic reconnection, the process that allows solar wind energy to enter the Earth's magnetosphere.

Changes in solar wind conditions can trigger different types of magnetic reconnection, modifying the shape and position of the Earth's magnetosphere. These solar wind particles can be energized in creating space hazards for Artemis astronauts.

And LEXI will be the first wide field of view telescope in observing this global interaction between solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere.

Unlike the gigantic X-ray telescopes sent by astrophysicists, LEXI is a small telescope. To get the global view of the magnetosphere it's better to be far distant from the Earth. The Moon provides the perfect place to take the global picture.

So, understanding the solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere interaction is crucial for space exploration.

LEXI’s image will advance this understanding of global interaction between the solar wind

and the magnetosphere.

Commercial Lunar Payload Services: NASA and American companies working together.