United KingdomScientists are using data from the New Horizons spacecraft to study how the solar wind slows down as it travels through the outer solar system. The SWAP instrument aboard New Horizons detected distinct slowdowns in the solar wind between 21 and 58 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun. Researchers suggest this deceleration occurs due to interactions with interstellar neutral gas particles, which become ionized and add mass to the solar wind, thereby reducing its speed. This research contributes to understanding the boundaries of the heliosphere—the protective bubble created by the Sun’s magnetic field—and provides insights into how stellar winds affect their surrounding environments. The findings align with observations from the Voyager missions, which have already crossed into interstellar space.
Bias read (Center): The article presents scientific research without political implications. It focuses on astrophysical phenomena and uses objective language to describe findings based on observational data. There is no indication of ideological framing or emphasis on specific political agendas.
