This time, KU is participating through the Advanced Composition Explorer
(ACE)
mission. ACE is designed to observe particles that originate from solar,
interplanetary, interstellar, and galactic origins. The energy (radiation)
ranges studied span from that of the solar wind to galactic cosmic rays.

The ACE observatory consists of the spacecraft bus and 9 instruments and
a
data processing unit called EPAM. EPAM stands for Electron, Proton and Alpha
Monitor. These
electrons,
protons, and
alphas are considered to be energetic
particles.

Once ACE reached its destination, which is located where the sun's gravity
balances with the earth's gravity, it began sending back EPAM data regarding the
radiation intensity from all directions in the sky. The EPAM data has been
transmitted to the University of Kansas Department of Physics and Astronomy
where Gene Holland,
an undergraduate student, along with Professor T.
Armstrong,
began evaluating the measurements and converting them into an understandable
form for scientific analysis and public information. Holland has prepared
computer software that will receive the transmitted data.

Gene Holland gained the opportunity to get involved with NASA programs
by contacting the Physics Department and Professor Armstrong directly. Many
similar opportunities are to be found on the K.U. campus, but student
initiative is needed to find them.