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Voyager 1 on the crest of the interstellar tsunami wave



It seems that Voyager 1 is still experiencing the influence of the "cosmic tsunami", first recorded by the device in February of this year. Vibrations of interstellar particles can be heard here (this is a video with explanations of this phenomenon from NASA).

Most people think that interstellar space is calm, it is empty and quiet here. As for the quiet, if we bear in mind - this is yes, in a vacuum, the sound does not spread, as is well known. But here it’s far from easy, scientists have understood it for quite some time, getting testimony of a plasma research tool installed on Voyager 1.

The increased activity of the particles surrounding Voyager 1 helped the scientists understand that the device had left the limits of the solar system. Last year, experts, studying the data provided by the device, saw that Voyager 1 was indirectly affected by the solar flare that occurred in April 2012. The particles ejected by the luminary overtook the apparatus from April, and continued to exert influence until May 2013. This "wave" activated the particles surrounding the spacecraft, and the frequency of particle vibrations recorded by scientists helped to estimate the "density" of interstellar space.
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As it turned out, the actual density of particles surrounding Voyager 1 was 40 times higher than the calculated one. This allowed scientists to conclude that the device went beyond the influence of the magnetic field of the heliosphere, that is, Voyager 1 left the solar system.

Voyager 1 recorded the strongest activity of interstellar particles in February of this year. Activity, as far as can be judged, does not fall even now. Researchers do not yet understand how fast the “wave” spreads and how large the region is under its influence. Now experts are trying to understand what scientific benefits can be derived from the study of such "waves." It is already clear that the plasma density increases as the apparatus advances.

And now it remains to be seen whether the plasma density in interstellar space will increase as the distance from the heliosphere increases, or the “wave” mentioned above manifests itself.

Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/364841/


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