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December 11, 2007
Who Dropped It?
It seems the solar system is bent
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- New observations from NASA's long-running Voyager 2 spacecraft show the solar system is asymmetrical, likely from disturbances in the interstellar magnetic field, scientists reported Monday.Voyager 2 sailed near the edge of the solar system this past summer following its twin, Voyager 1, in 2004.
The discovery came after the 30-year-old unmanned probe sailed near the edge of the solar system this past summer following its twin, Voyager 1, which reached that part of space in 2004.
Researchers have long suspected the solar system was bent, but never had direct evidence until now, said Voyager mission scientist Edward Stone of the California Institute of Technology.
Voyager 2 crossed a barrier in the solar system known as the termination shock in August, some 10 billion miles from where Voyager 1 passed through. The termination shock is the region where charged particles from the sun abruptly slow down as they collide with other particles and a magnetic field in interstellar gas.
The Voyagers are over 30 years old and still sending back useful data. Best investments evah.
Posted by Mr. Bingley at December 11, 2007 11:36 AM
Comments
Yeah, way cool toys there!
However, this latest discovery does add new meaning to the phrase, "Get bent!"
Posted by: The_Real_JeffS at December 11, 2007 01:20 PM
...as opposed to 'Bend It Like Beckham'?
Posted by: tree hugging sister at December 11, 2007 02:41 PM
Have any of you seen Star Trek: The Motion Picture? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079945/
This does not end well.
Posted by: barking spider at December 11, 2007 04:06 PM