NASA has revealed that its Voyager 1 probe has reached a region of space where it encountered an unusual phenomenon – a “wall of fire” caused by the collision of solar winds with interstellar winds. This discovery marks the farthest point ever reached by a human-made machine, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the solar system.
The Voyager probes were launched in 1977 to explore the outer reaches of the solar system. According to NASA, there are different ways to define the edge of the solar system, but one relevant definition is the boundary between the Sun’s magnetic field and the interstellar medium, known as the heliopause.
At this point, the pressure of the two winds balances each other out, causing the solar wind to turn back and flow down the tail of the heliosphere. Scientists were surprised to find massive thermal violence at this boundary, with temperatures reaching as high as 54,000 degrees Fahrenheit (30,000 Kelvin).
The region was nicknamed the “wall of fire” due to its extreme heat and high-energy particles, caused by friction between solar and interstellar winds. Despite being in a hostile environment, Voyager 1’s probes were able to pass through the wall and continue sending data back to Earth.
This discovery not only marks a significant milestone for NASA but also expands our knowledge of the solar system’s edge and the phenomena that occur beyond it. As the probe continues to explore the vastness of space, it may uncover new insights into the universe.
Source: https://www.unilad.com/news/world-news/nasa-voyager-edge-solar-system-discovery-428639-20250623