Search for the Exit: Voyager 1 at Heliosphere’s Border with the Galaxy

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1235721
• Publication Date: 2013-06-29T07:26:03Z
• Authors: S. M. Krimigis; R. B. Decker; E. C. Roelof; M. E. Hill; T. P. Armstrong; G. Gloeckler; D. C. Hamilton; L. J. Lanzerotti
• Keywords: Heliosphere; Energetic neutral atom

Unexpected Magnetic Highway The heliopause is thought to separate the heliosphere (the bubble of plasma and magnetic field originating at Sun) from interstellar field. In August last year, Voyager 1 spacecraft, which was launched 35 years ago, 18.5 billion kilometers away Sun, close expected location heliopause. Krimigis et al. (p. 144 , published online 27 June) report observations energetic ions electrons by that suggest a sharp distinct boundary crossed five times over ∼30 days. Burlaga 147 found direction did not change across any crossings, indicating had but entered region in serves as highway along low-energy inside stream galactic cosmic rays flow space. Stone 150 spectra this unexpected region.