Voyager Explores the Final Frontier of the Solar System
- Paper number
IAC-06-H.L.1.01
- Author
Prof. Edward C. Stone, California Institute of Technology, United States
- Year
2006
- Abstract
After a twenty-seven year journey and fourteen billion kilometers from Earth, Voyager 1 reached the final frontier of the solar system. The atmosphere of the Sun expands supersonically, creating a giant bubble called the heliosphere that envelops all of the planets. Outside the bubble lies interstellar space filled with matter from other stars. Voyager 1 reached a major milestone in its journey to interstellar space when it crossed the standing shock wave that forms as the supersonic solar wind approaches the edge of the interstellar space. Voyager 1 is now exploring the region beyond the shock that is the outermost layer of the Sun’s atmosphere where the solar wind has abruptly slowed and compressed as it pushes outward against the surrounding interstellar matter. Following behind, Voyager 2 will soon join in exploring this final frontier as both spacecraft continue their race to reach the edge of interstellar space while still having enough power to communicate to Earth. This Plenary Event will describe the journey and highlight its future exploration activities.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-H.L.1.01.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.