Glossary
-
MACHOs
- Massive Compact Halo Objects
-
MEPAG
- Mars Exploration Planning & Analysis Group
-
MFRP
- Mars Fundamental Research Program
-
MIDEX
- Medium Explorer
-
MIDP
- Mars Instrument Development Project
-
ML3N
- Mars Long-lived Lander Network
-
MMS
- Magnetospheric Multiscale
-
MODIS
- Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer
-
MU-SPIN
- Minority University-Space Interdisciplinary Network
-
Maunder minimum
- A 70-year period from 1645 to 1715 when sunspots were rare.
Click for citation -
Milky Way
- The galaxy of which the sun and the solar system are a part and which contains the myriads of stars that create the light of the Milky Way.
Click for citation -
magnetic storms
- A large-scale disturbance of the magnetosphere, often initiated by the arrival of an interplanetary shock originating at the Sun.
Click for citation -
magnetopause
- The boundary surface between the solar wind and the magnetosphere where the pressure of the magnetic field equals the pressure of the solar wind
Click for citation -
magnetosphere
- The region surrounding a celestial body where its magnetic field controls the motions of charged particles.
Click for citation -
magnetotail
- The portion of a planetary magnetosphere which is pushed in the direction of the solar wind
Click for citation -
mesoscale
- Of or relating to a meteorological phenomenon approximately 10 to 1000 kilometers in horizontal extent.
Click for citation -
meteor
- Any of the small particles of matter in the solar system that are directly observable only by their incandescence from frictional heating on entry into the atmosphere.
Click for citation -
meteorites
- A meteor that reaches the surface of the earth without being completely vaporized.
Click for citation -
meteorology
- Study of the atmosphere and its phenomena.
Click for citation -
microphysical
- The physics of molecules, atoms, and elementary particles.
Click for citation -
mission
- NASA Science-funded activity with the purpose of meeting goals laid out by presidential directive, and detailed in Science Mission Directorate's strategic plan.
-
mitigate
- To cause to become less harsh or hostile.
Click for citation -
modeling
- A mathematical representation of a process, system, or object developed to understand its behavior or to make predictions. The representation always involves certain simplifications and assumptions.
Click for citation -
modulated
- To vary the amplitude, frequency, or phase of (a carrier wave or a light wave) for the transmission of information (as by radio); to vary the velocity of electrons in an electron beam.
Click for citation