The researchers from the University of Iowa have confirmed that Voyager 2 has stepped into the Interstellar Medium (ISM) as a peculiar spike in plasma density was detected by a plasma wave instrument. The rover’s journey from the hot, higher-density plasma of interstellar space & lower-density plasma attributes of the solar wind to the cool can all be confirmed using the data depicting an increase in plasma density. The new data is an echo of Voyager 1’s data. The earlier study showed that the solar winds drifted far away into interstellar space but now, it is found to be false. The 2 rovers have proved that there is a light boundary present separating interstellar space from the rest.
The plasma is found to form boundaries and this is quite surprising. Voyager 2’s entry into the ISM is found to have happened at 119.7 Astronomical Units. The Voyager spacecraft were launched just weeks apart with different goals. The rovers crossed the ISM with a similar distance from the Sun and it is vital in terms of obtaining data related to the structure of the heliosphere. The data shows the heliosphere to be symmetric at the 2 points on the surface located at the same distance, as per the Voyager spacecraft data. The solar winds piling, winds action in interstellar space, and thickness or outer region of the heliosphere can all be well studied.
Likewise, NASA had announced that Voyager 2 left the atmospheric reach of Sun on November 5, 2018. During that time, the spacecraft had sent some data regarding the area beyond the Sun back to Earth. The data included plasma density amid empty space in the stars. The Voyager radio transmitter power is about 20 Watts and using the entire power in all directions is found to weaken the radio signals on Earth. The use of parabolic antennae helps capture the data precisely. The farther the spacecraft gets the signal-to-noise ratio is weakened and so is the information rate.
Eric accomplished a Master’s Program in Electromagnetics, Fusion, and Space Engineering. He is an established entity in this field and serves as Global Industry News’s Lead Content Writer from last 3 years, with a total of 7 years’ experience. While he can craft news on any topic, he loves to write news articles on satellites, rockets, planets, and anything related to the Space domain. His exceptional managerial skills help him to manage the team of 4 writers working under his guidance. He insists on precision in work, which aids in his responsibility of performing the quality check of all news pieces by his teammates.