Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
May 2000
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000ohbp.conf..357m&link_type=abstract
"In: The outer heliosphere: beyond the planets. Based on the spring school "Die äußere Heliosphäre - Jenseits der Planeten, in B
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Heliosphere, Structure, Space Missions, Interstellar Space
Scientific paper
After studying almost all of the planets as well as the solar wind, dust and energetic particle populations between 0.3 and ~75 AU the time has come to approach and cross the boundaries of the heliosphere. We still do not fully understand, what is reponsible for the environment, in which the Earth and the planets are embedded, and what determines its size and structure. Yet this is the only example for astropheres, the regions of interaction between stars and their interstellar neighborhood, which can be studied in detail at our front door step. At the inner frontier we still need to explore the very source of the solar wind, the Sun's hot corona, and the acceleration processes to create the wind and solar energetic particles. At the outer frontier we will find how the solar wind is terminated in its interaction with the neighboring interstellar medium. Furthermore, by investigating the interstellar material that penetrates into the heliosphere and by moving on into the surrounding space we can take a sample of present day galactic material for comparison with the composition of our solar system, which represents a sample from 4.5 billion years ago. This comparison provides insight into the evolution of galactic matter from the Big Bang until today. Finally, this can be viewed as humankind's first step for exploration of interstellar space. The scope, challenges and possible implementation of three missions to these frontiers are described. Solar Probe is in NASA's plan as the first mission to the Sun and will provide two scans of the Sun's corona and surface from pole to pole with a perihelion of three solar radii from the surface. Interstellar exploration can start already in the inner heliosphere with an Interstellar Pathfinder mission, because the inner edge for neutral interstellar gas is between 0.5 and 3 AU. It will allow a first sampling of key isotopic and elemental abundances. Recently, great interest has emerged for an Interstellar Probe to actually cross the heliospheric boundary into the local interstellar cloud. A preferred option for the necessary advanced propulsion system is a solar sail that requires a probe trajectory to within 0.25 AU from the Sun. Developing this technique will open the pathways to a variety of exciting missions in the heliosphere and can be the first step of a long-range interstellar exploration initiative.
Fisk Lennard
Gloeckler George
Mewaldt Richard
Möbius Eberhard
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