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| Voyager 1 exited the solar wind at a distance of similar to 85 AU from the Sun |
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| Author(s): Krimigis SM, Decker RB, Hill ME, Armstrong TP, Gloeckler G, Hamilton DC, Lanzerotti LJ, Roelof EC |
| Source: NATURE Volume: 426 Issue: 6962 Pages: 45-48 Published: NOV 6 2003 |
| Times Cited: 124 References: 30 |
| Abstract: The outer limit of the Solar System is often considered to be at the distance from the Sun where the solar wind changes from supersonic to subsonic flow(1). Theory predicts that a termination shock marks this boundary, with locations ranging(2) from a few to over 100 AU (1 AU approximate to 1.5 x 10(8) km, the distance from Earth to the Sun). 'Pick-up ions' that originate(3,4) as interstellar neutral atoms should be accelerated to tens of MeV at the termination shock, generating anomalous cosmic rays(5-7). Here we report a large increase in the intensity of energetic particles in the outer heliosphere, as measured by an instrument on the Voyager 1 spacecraft. We argue that the spacecraft exited the supersonic solar wind and passed into the subsonic region ( possibly beyond the termination shock) on about 1 August 2002 at a distance of similar to85 AU (heliolatitude similar to34degrees N), then re-entered the supersonic solar wind about 200 days later at, 87 AU from the Sun. We show that the composition of the ions accelerated at the putative termination shock is that of anomalous cosmic rays and of interstellar pick-up ions. |
| Document Type: Article |
| Language: English |
| Reprint Address: Krimigis, SM (reprint author), Johns Hopkins Univ, Appl Phys Lab, Johns Hopkins Rd, Laurel, MD 20723 USA |
Addresses:
1. Johns Hopkins Univ, Appl Phys Lab, Laurel, MD 20723 USA
2. Univ Maryland, Dept Phys, College Pk, MD 20742 USA
3. Fundamental Technol, Lawrence, KS 66046 USA
4. Bell Labs, Murray Hill, NJ 07974 USA
5. New Jersey Inst Technol, Ctr Solar Terr Res, Newark, NJ 07102 USA |
| Publisher: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP, MACMILLAN BUILDING, 4 CRINAN ST, LONDON N1 9XW, ENGLAND |
| Subject Category: Multidisciplinary Sciences |
| IDS Number: 739WY |
| ISSN: 0028-0836 |
| DOI: 10.1038/nature02068 |
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