• Education
    • Higher Education
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • Online Learning
    • School Reforms
    • Research & Innovation
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Fashion & Beauty
    • Home & Living
    • Relationships & Family
  • Technology & Startups
    • Software & Apps
    • Startup Success Stories
    • Startups & Innovations
    • Tech Regulations
    • Venture Capital
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cybersecurity
    • Emerging Technologies
    • Gadgets & Devices
    • Industry Analysis
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy
Today Headline
  • Home
  • World News
    • Us & Canada
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • Middle East
  • Politics
    • Elections
    • Political Parties
    • Government Policies
    • International Relations
    • Legislative News
  • Business & Finance
    • Market Trends
    • Stock Market
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Corporate News
    • Economic Policies
  • Science & Environment
    • Space Exploration
    • Climate Change
    • Wildlife & Conservation
    • Environmental Policies
    • Medical Research
  • Health
    • Public Health
    • Mental Health
    • Medical Breakthroughs
    • Fitness & Nutrition
    • Pandemic Updates
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Tennis
    • Olympics
    • Motorsport
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV & Streaming
    • Celebrity News
    • Awards & Festivals
  • Crime & Justice
    • Court Cases
    • Cybercrime
    • Policing
    • Criminal Investigations
    • Legal Reforms
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • World News
    • Us & Canada
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • Middle East
  • Politics
    • Elections
    • Political Parties
    • Government Policies
    • International Relations
    • Legislative News
  • Business & Finance
    • Market Trends
    • Stock Market
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Corporate News
    • Economic Policies
  • Science & Environment
    • Space Exploration
    • Climate Change
    • Wildlife & Conservation
    • Environmental Policies
    • Medical Research
  • Health
    • Public Health
    • Mental Health
    • Medical Breakthroughs
    • Fitness & Nutrition
    • Pandemic Updates
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Tennis
    • Olympics
    • Motorsport
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV & Streaming
    • Celebrity News
    • Awards & Festivals
  • Crime & Justice
    • Court Cases
    • Cybercrime
    • Policing
    • Criminal Investigations
    • Legal Reforms
No Result
View All Result
Today Headline
No Result
View All Result
Home Business & Finance Economic Policies

Voyager hits a ‘Wall of Fire’: NASA probe finds a furnace at the edge of the solar system todayheadline

June 18, 2025
in Economic Policies
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
0
ET logo
5
SHARES
10
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


Voyager 1 has detected a shell of superheated plasma far beyond Pluto—offering a direct look at where the Sun’s influence ends and interstellar space begins.

From nearly 24 billion kilometres away, NASA’s ageing Voyager 1 has sent back a signal confirming one of the most extreme discoveries yet: a narrow region near the heliopause where plasma has been heated to an astonishing 30,000 to 50,000 Kelvin. This marks the latest in a string of insights from the 48-year-old spacecraft.

The heliopause, which defines the outer edge of the Sun’s protective bubble known as the heliosphere, is where solar wind slams into material from interstellar space. It’s not a wall in the traditional sense—but data show a sharp, localised zone of extreme temperatures.

An unexpected blaze in the cosmic borderlands

The discovery began with a spike in temperature data—despite the fact that Voyager 1’s original plasma detector had failed years ago.

Instead, two other instruments still running—one monitoring cosmic ray hits, the other measuring the local magnetic field—spotted the clues. Solar wind ions dropped sharply. Meanwhile, cosmic ray counts surged and the magnetic field began to bend. That’s when scientists realised what they were seeing.

Live Events


Researchers processed the data and saw evidence of a hot plasma shell, possibly just 1 astronomical unit thick. Hours later, Voyager 2—following its own path—picked up the same pattern, confirming the phenomenon wasn’t a fluke.“It’s a narrow, searing frontier,” said NASA Heliophysics scientists. And the spacecraft sailed right through it.

What fuels a fire where nothing burns?

There’s no flame out there. No oxygen to feed one. But the searing temperature comes from the collision of forces.

As the supersonic solar wind crashes into the slower-moving interstellar medium, magnetic turbulence and compression force particles into a higher energy state. That’s where the heat comes from—particles zipping around at extreme speeds in a vacuum barely dense enough to warm aluminium.

In short: it’s a cosmic blast furnace, but with so little matter that Voyager’s hull doesn’t heat up.

“She’s been driving for five decades and just found the hottest rest stop in the universe,” quipped Suzanne Dodd, Voyager’s flight director, after the data appeared on her Pasadena monitor.

A magnetic surprise beyond the Sun’s reach

One of the biggest surprises wasn’t the heat—but the alignment of magnetic fields.

Scientists expected the magnetic field outside the heliopause to change direction entirely. But both Voyager probes have found that the magnetic field beyond the boundary runs almost parallel to the one within the heliosphere.

NASA explained: “An observation by Voyager 2’s magnetic field instrument confirms a surprising result from Voyager 1: The magnetic field in the region just beyond the heliopause is parallel to the magnetic field inside the heliosphere.”

That’s upended existing models of the Sun’s protective bubble. It suggests the heliosphere may be more closely connected to the galaxy’s magnetic environment than previously assumed—and that our cosmic shielding from high-energy radiation might work in ways still not fully understood.

This has important implications for protecting Earth and for long-duration human spaceflight.

The hottest postcard in Space

NASA’s engineers remain in awe that Voyager 1 still works.

The data trickles in at just 160 bits per second. It takes 22 hours for a single message to arrive back at Earth’s Deep Space Network.

“That silence after you send a command is the longest coffee break imaginable,” said Todd Barber, Voyager systems engineer.

Voyager’s ageing plutonium battery can now only support a few instruments. But NASA has juggled power usage carefully to keep the most valuable sensors running. Even at 48 years old, the probe continues to report back from the unknown.

Next up: Mapping the edge in high definition

NASA is already planning the next step. In 2026, the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) will launch to observe the heliopause from within. It aims to capture the same plasma flows that Voyager just measured, but with modern instruments and clearer resolution.

Even further ahead is a proposed Interstellar Probe mission, designed to reach 400 AU in 50 years. Its goal? Map this fiery region—this “invisible wall of fire”—in unprecedented detail.

All of this future planning leans on Voyager’s current discoveries.

Voyager 1 crossed into interstellar space on 25 August 2012. Its twin, Voyager 2, followed in 2018. But even now, these machines keep pushing the boundaries of what humanity knows about the edge of its own solar neighbourhood.

Their findings aren’t just scientific curiosities. They help shape real-world plans to shield astronauts from cosmic radiation and inform how Earth’s magnetic defences operate.

In another dozen years, the last of Voyager 1’s instruments may fall silent. But its final contribution—a message from the solar system’s burning edge—might be its most important.

For now, it’s still out there. Floating. Listening. Sending home the secrets of the stars.

Tags: cosmic radiation protectionedgeFindsfireFurnaceheliopauseHitsInterstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP)interstellar spacemagnetic fieldsNASAprobeSolarSolar Windsuperheated plasmasystemtodayheadlineVoyagerVoyager 1Voyager 2Wall
Previous Post

Mysterious Link between Earth’s Magnetism and Oxygen Baffles Scientists todayheadline

Next Post

Consumers and Employees Still Want Diversity — Here’s How Businesses Can Get It Right todayheadline

Related Posts

ET logo

Indiana Fever defeat Dallas Wings 102-83 behind Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark todayheadline

July 13, 2025
6
ET logo

Wimbledon 2025: Prince William and Princess Kate attend final clash between Alcaraz and Sinner todayheadline

July 13, 2025
10
Next Post

Consumers and Employees Still Want Diversity — Here's How Businesses Can Get It Right todayheadline

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Family calls for change after B.C. nurse dies by suicide after attacks on the job

Family calls for change after B.C. nurse dies by suicide after attacks on the job

April 2, 2025
Pioneering 3D printing project shares successes

Product reduces TPH levels to non-hazardous status

November 27, 2024

Police ID man who died after Corso Italia fight

December 23, 2024

Hospital Mergers Fail to Deliver Better Care or Lower Costs, Study Finds todayheadline

December 31, 2024
Harris tells supporters 'never give up' and urges peaceful transfer of power

Harris tells supporters ‘never give up’ and urges peaceful transfer of power

0
Des Moines Man Accused Of Shooting Ex-Girlfriend's Mother

Des Moines Man Accused Of Shooting Ex-Girlfriend’s Mother

0

Trump ‘looks forward’ to White House meeting with Biden

0
Catholic voters were critical to Donald Trump’s blowout victory: ‘Harris snubbed us’

Catholic voters were critical to Donald Trump’s blowout victory: ‘Harris snubbed us’

0
A semiconductor wafer being manufactured.

Prediction: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Is the Safest AI Chip Bet todayheadline

July 13, 2025
Trump demands more concessions as EU holds off on US tariff countermeasures

Trump demands more concessions as EU holds off on US tariff countermeasures todayheadline

July 13, 2025
ET logo

Indiana Fever defeat Dallas Wings 102-83 behind Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark todayheadline

July 13, 2025
Not Liking Mondays Could Be Killing You

Mondayitis Could Have a Deadly Effect On Your Body : ScienceAlert todayheadline

July 13, 2025

Recent News

A semiconductor wafer being manufactured.

Prediction: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Is the Safest AI Chip Bet todayheadline

July 13, 2025
4
Trump demands more concessions as EU holds off on US tariff countermeasures

Trump demands more concessions as EU holds off on US tariff countermeasures todayheadline

July 13, 2025
4
ET logo

Indiana Fever defeat Dallas Wings 102-83 behind Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark todayheadline

July 13, 2025
6
Not Liking Mondays Could Be Killing You

Mondayitis Could Have a Deadly Effect On Your Body : ScienceAlert todayheadline

July 13, 2025
6

TodayHeadline is a dynamic news website dedicated to delivering up-to-date and comprehensive news coverage from around the globe.

Follow Us

Browse by Category

  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Basketball
  • Business & Finance
  • Climate Change
  • Crime & Justice
  • Cybersecurity
  • Economic Policies
  • Elections
  • Entertainment
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Policies
  • Europe
  • Football
  • Gadgets & Devices
  • Health
  • Medical Research
  • Mental Health
  • Middle East
  • Motorsport
  • Olympics
  • Politics
  • Public Health
  • Relationships & Family
  • Science & Environment
  • Software & Apps
  • Space Exploration
  • Sports
  • Stock Market
  • Technology & Startups
  • Tennis
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Us & Canada
  • Wildlife & Conservation
  • World News

Recent News

A semiconductor wafer being manufactured.

Prediction: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Is the Safest AI Chip Bet todayheadline

July 13, 2025
Trump demands more concessions as EU holds off on US tariff countermeasures

Trump demands more concessions as EU holds off on US tariff countermeasures todayheadline

July 13, 2025
  • Education
  • Lifestyle
  • Technology & Startups
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy

© 2024 Todayheadline.co

Welcome Back!

OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Business & Finance
  • Corporate News
  • Economic Policies
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Market Trends
  • Crime & Justice
  • Court Cases
  • Criminal Investigations
  • Cybercrime
  • Legal Reforms
  • Policing
  • Education
  • Higher Education
  • Online Learning
  • Entertainment
  • Awards & Festivals
  • Celebrity News
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Health
  • Fitness & Nutrition
  • Medical Breakthroughs
  • Mental Health
  • Pandemic Updates
  • Lifestyle
  • Fashion & Beauty
  • Food & Drink
  • Home & Living
  • Politics
  • Elections
  • Government Policies
  • International Relations
  • Legislative News
  • Political Parties
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Middle East
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Cybersecurity
  • Emerging Technologies
  • Gadgets & Devices
  • Industry Analysis
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Motorsport
  • Olympics
  • Climate Change
  • Environmental Policies
  • Medical Research
  • Science & Environment
  • Space Exploration
  • Wildlife & Conservation
  • Sports
  • Tennis
  • Technology & Startups
  • Software & Apps
  • Startup Success Stories
  • Startups & Innovations
  • Tech Regulations
  • Venture Capital
  • Uncategorized
  • World News
  • Us & Canada
  • Public Health
  • Relationships & Family
  • Travel
  • Research & Innovation
  • Scholarships & Grants
  • School Reforms
  • Stock Market
  • TV & Streaming
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy & Policy
  • About us
  • Contact

© 2024 Todayheadline.co