Posted on 06/30/2013 9:38:43 AM PDT by BenLurkin
New papers describe an unexpected boundary region at the edge of the influence of the Sun.
A few different effects mark the area, which astronomers have dubbed the "heliosheath depletion region" or a "magnetic highway." The number of charged particles from the Sun there is very low. Measurements of cosmic rays from other, non-Sun sources, are high. Together, the measurements suggest a new boundary region between the heliospherethe bubble around the Sun, in which the Sun exerts its influenceand interstellar space. Astronomers had not previously guessed such a region existed.
(Excerpt) Read more at popsci.com ...
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There’s a boundary for the heliosphere but we can’t erect our own border fence.
Hows that interstellar space travel workin out for ya?
On the other hand, it's pretty amazing that Voyager has got to where it is simply by coasting with a couple of gravity assist boosts from Jupiter and Saturn. Having any kind of propulsion would totally change the ballgame.
Would propulsion gets you going faster than 10 miles a second? (I’m no rocket surgeon!) Its hard to beat a gravity swing around Jupiter. Even with propulsion, how fast can you go before vibrations tear you apart or you hit something, ANYTHING, at that speed? (Now we need warp drive, deflectors.....)
Dark Star?
I take it Voyager 1 has crossed the heliopause, and now is officially out of the solar system.
They’re not sure.
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