Voyager twins have beamed back a data set that reshape our understanding of what is happening to the furthest edges of our solar system.
As far as the magnetic field extends out from the Sun, the more strange that behaves, the study suggests.
At the end of the solar system is the Heliosphere, a tunnel created by the solar wind. Both Voyager is the outermost layer of the Heliosphere, heliosheath, where the solar wind is slowed by dealing with interstellar gas. Data suggest that in the heliosheath is a sea of bubbles frantic, sausage-like in shape, each bubble around 100 million miles in width. That is roughly the same as the distance between the Earth and the Sun.
Merav Opher, an astronomer at Boston University and lead author of the study described as "a really agitated Jacuzzi."
The theory is based on modeling of computers scanned electron readings by Voyager. Readings had found depressions and inflates the number of electrons detected by two spacecraft. Models indicate that these variations were caused by moving in and out of bubbles.
The bubbles are believed to be part of the magnetic field of the Sun: charged particles of ionized gas, stretching and twisting while moving toward the edge of the solar system and Heliosphere. Are caused by magnetic lines of force explosively reorganizing themselves, scientists say. The findings were published Thursday in the Astrophysical Journal.
"We're pretty sure [date] is telling us that there is a big change in the structure of the magnetic field," said Opher.
Ultimately, scientists want to know what happens when the galactic cosmic rays and other interstellar subatomic particles from entering our solar system through the Heliosphere. "We've yet to explore the details of how Galactic get rays through the Heliosphere, and how they are going to wander around the bubble," said James Drake, Professor of Physics of the University of Maryland.
The bubbles do not cause any danger for those living on Earth and no danger to the spacecraft, scientists say. "But if you're heading to Mars, I really have to worry about radiation in the environment of Venture," said Eugene Parker of the University of Chicago.
After 33 years of charge across the solar system, Voyager 2 is now about 10 billion miles from Earth. Both spacecraft contain instruments that measure energetic particles and send data back to Earth.
Next step, Opher said, is to send the best tools in interstellar space. "Voyager was designed in the late 1960s with wonderful tools," he said. "But we need more sensitive instruments. We're just scraping the surface of how sensitive is the heliosheath. "
No comments:
Post a Comment