investigator say theyhave solveda primal mystery regarding Voyager 1 leaving the Solar System . It was believed to have go beyond the influence of the Sun ( the heliosphere ) into interstellar spacein 2013 , the first spacecraft ever to do so , but measuring of the environ magnetic orbit since have cause some arguing .
Essentially , the charismatic field of force observed by Voyager 1 is tilt at 40 degrees to the look interstellar charismatic field . This latest study , published in theAstrophysical Journal Letters , explains the anomaly by suggest that the orientation of the magnetic field is being push and stretch by the solar winding . The author predict that it will take 10 yr for the spacecraft to pass into a region of space where the surrounding magnetised field is no longer influenced at all by the Sun .
" If you think of the magnetic field as a gumshoe circle stretched around a beach clump , that stripe is being deflected around the heliopause [ where the solar wind stops ] , " lead author of the study , Nathan Schwadron of the University of New Hampshire , enounce in astatement .
The direction of the interstellar magnetized field was estimated using data point from NASA ’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer ( IBEX ) spacecraft . It observed a “ ribbon ” of hydrogen atoms , dubbed the “ IBEX laurel wreath ” , just beyond the Solar System that seem to suggest its counselling . Voyager 1 ’s different readings , therefore , were a cause for some mix-up .
Now , using meter reading from the Voyager spacecraft – namely that it has observe a variety in magnetic field orientation of a few degrees every class – the researchers have project the tilted magnetic field of honor hypothesis .
Artist ’s impression of the Voyager space vehicle . NASA .
The lack of a substantial change in the magnetic field when Voyager crossed beyond the Solar System had also been somewhat of a mystery story , but this theory seems to show that it is a gradual change , and not a sudden change like other variable – such as the dramatic change in atom , 40 time large , observed beyond the boundary .
The results suggest that Voyager 1 is not quite in “ dependable ” interstellar outer space yet , although Schwardon say IFLScience it was a “ matter of ism ” . Instead , Voyager 1 is in a sort of purgatory neighborhood which Schwardon called the “ outer heliosheath ” , where the solar nothingness and interstellar medium interact . It will not be until Voyager 1 pass the so - call “ pristine ” neighborhood of the interstellar medium that is unaffected by solar jazz in 10 years that it will rightfully be beyond the Solar System ’s influence .
For all purpose and design , though , NASA suppose that Voyager 1 has entered interstellar place because it has hybridise the heliosphere , the house of cards of solar wind around the Solar System . In 2025 , the researchers expect Voyager 1 to register the same magnetized field charge in the pristine interstellar medium as the IBEX ribbon , an estimate supported by observations from the Ulysses and SOHO spacecraft .
Then , Voyager 1 will truly , almost certainly , be entirely in interstellar space and out of reach of the Sun .
range of a function in textbook : creative person ’s impression of the Voyager ballistic capsule . NASA .
