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The Earth is constantly bombarded with a stream of accelerated particles arriving
not only from the Sun, but also from interstellar and galactic sources. Study of
these energetic particles will contribute to our understanding of the formation
and evolution of the solar system as well as the astrophysical processes involved.
The Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft carrying six high-resolution
sensors and three monitoring instruments will sample low-energy particles of solar
origin and high-energy galactic particles with a collecting power 10 to 1000 times
greater than past or planned experiments.
From a vantage point approximately 1/100 of the distance from the Earth to the Sun ACE will perform measurements over a wide range of energy and nuclear mass, under all solar wind flow conditions and during both large and small particle events including solar flares. ACE will provide near-real-time solar wind information over short time periods. When reporting space weather ACE can provide an advance warning (about one hour) of geomagnetic storms that can overload power grids, disrupt communications on Earth, and present a hazard to astronauts.
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