NASA’s Voyager spacecraft has made a groundbreaking discovery beyond the Solar System, capturing stunning images of a scorching “wall” of high temperatures outside our cosmic neighborhood. The spacecraft ventured into interstellar space to reveal the heliopause region, where the Sun’s influence dwindles.
The boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space is marked by the heliopause, which acts as the point where solar winds meet interstellar winds. Scientists previously believed the boundary could be fluid, shifting with changes in the Sun’s activity. However, Voyager 1 and 2 have provided critical data on the location of this boundary.
According to NASA, the heliosphere extends well beyond Pluto’s orbit, with the heliopause marking its outer limit. The spacecraft encountered temperatures between 30,000 and 50,000 kelvin (54,000 to 90,000 degrees Fahrenheit) in this region, earning it the nickname “wall of fire.”
The Voyager team has been working on keeping the spacecraft operational until its 50th anniversary in 2027. Recently, they conducted a trial run to test the primary thrusters without igniting them, avoiding a potential explosion.
The longevity of Voyager is remarkable in planetary exploration history, with the scientific community continuing to draw valuable insights from these missions. The probes have provided the best data on the outer planets, including Uranus and Neptune.
Source: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/nasas-voyager-spacecraft-captures-stunning-35385002