High Angular Resolution Low Energy Neutral Imager (LENI)

Low Energy Neutral Imager (LENI) Technical Objective: Demonstrate high-angular (2) resolution, high-sensitivity (±10-3 cm2 sr/pixel) ENA imaging in the 0.5 - 20 keV range as called for by the Heliophysics Decadal Survey by utilizing ultra-thin foils, 2D collimation, and a novel electron optical design. Supporting the Following Scientific Objectives for Future Missions Heliospheric Science Objective: Understand the spatial and temporal structure of the heliospheric boundary through high-temporal and high-angular resolution imaging over the 0.5 - 20 keV energy range (LENI addresses the more difficult, lower end of that range). Magnetospheric Science Objective: Understand how magnetospheric ions precipitate into and interact with the upper atmosphere by determining the angular and spatial distribution of backscattered energetic neutral atoms (ENAs).

Support NASA's Heliophysics strategic science objectives to understand the Sun and its interactions with Earth and the solar system, including space weather. This will be achieved by developing/demonstrating instrumentation technology necessary to address the following science goals: Explore the physical processes in the space environment from the Sun to the Earth and throughout the solar system; Advance our understanding of the connections that link the Sun, the Earth, planetary space environments, and the outer reaches of our solar system; Develop the knowledge and capability to detect and predict extreme conditions in space to protect life and society and to safeguard human and robotic explorers beyond Earth.

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