Does the Interstellar Bow Shock Exist around the Heliosphere?
Abstract
The paper discusses results of global modeling of the heliosphere regarding the existence of the interstellar bow shock (BS) in front of the heliosphere. The Local InterStellar Medium (LISM) velocity vector (VIS) and temperature (TIS) originally determined through the velocity and temperature of the interstellar helium (He) flowing in the inner heliosphere and measured by the GAS instrument on Ulysses, recently have been challenged by new measurements of the He flow by the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX). These measurements have initiated discussions on the existence of the BS. The purpose of this paper is a brief overview of studies focusing on in situ measurements of the He flow by the instruments on Ulysses and IBEX missions and indication of the reasons for discrepancies created in the past few years and associated with the existence of the BS.
- Publication:
-
Transactions of the Institute of Aviation No.4 (245
- Pub Date:
- December 2016
- Bibcode:
- 2016TrIAv...4..178R
- Keywords:
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- solar wind;
- interstellar medium;
- heliosphere;
- bow shock