Infinite Horizons: November 19th “Tianwen-1/MINPA Energetic Neutral Atom Observations and Science Results”
Speaker: Prof. Wenya Li (National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
November 19th, 2025
4pm, Beijing time
Watch it on Zoom
We have the pleasure to host the next Infinite Horizons' seminar on November 19th, 2025. Our host will be Prof. Wenya Li from the National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences will talk about Tianwen-1/MINPA Energetic Neutral Atom Observations and Science Results.
Seminar's abstract:
The Mars Ion and Neutral Particle Analyzer (MINPA), one of the seven scientific payloads aboard the Tianwen-1 orbiter, was specifically designed to investigate the interaction between the solar wind and Mars by analyzing ions and energetic neutral atoms (ENAs). This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of MINPA's in-flight operations and its ENA observations. MINPA successfully collected ENA data during observations of the solar wind, magnetosheath, and Martian nightside. Two rounds of ground calibration were conducted to determine the H-ENA geometric factors, forming the basis for an algorithm that converts ENA count rates into intensity. Statistical analysis of solar wind H-ENAs revealed a neutralization rate at the flanks of the Martian magnetosphere. This neutralization rate was used to derive the coincident Jeans escape rate and pick-up ion generation rate. Additionally, a collaborative analysis combining MINPA data with numerical modeling has provided deeper insights into the ENA spectrum and its properties. Preliminary results also include the detection of several O-ENA candidates during periods of solar storm impact. Further analysis is required to confirm these signals and elucidate their generation mechanisms.
Zoom ID: 895 5433 2217
(Our Infinite Horizons seminars are usually host on the third Wednesday of the month)
About the speaker:
I am a scientific researcher at the National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences. I received my PhD degree in space physics from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2014 and then continued my research work at NSSC. From October 2015 to September 2017, I worked with Prof. Mats André and Yuri Khotyaintsev at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics in Uppsala, focusing on data analysis of the electron-scale process of magnetic reconnection using NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale data. Since the launch of the Chinese Tianwen-1 Mars mission, I have been deeply involved in cooperation with the NSSC particle team, which delivered the Mars Ion and Neutral Particle Analyzer (MINPA) onboard the Tianwen-1 orbiter. The NSSC science-payload team will also work together on future deep space missions, including SPO and Tianwen-3.
