Voyager Observations of Electron Densities in the Very Local Interstellar Medium

W. S. Kurth; L. F. Burlaga; T. Kim; N. V. Pogorelov; L. J. Granroth

doi:10.3847/1538-4357/acd44c

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Voyager Observations of Electron Densities in the Very Local Interstellar Medium

Journal article

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Voyager Observations of Electron Densities in the Very Local Interstellar Medium

W. S. Kurth, L. F. Burlaga, T. Kim, N. V. Pogorelov and L. J. Granroth

The Astrophysical journal, Vol.951(1), p.71

07/01/2023

DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/acd44c

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Abstract

The two Voyager spacecraft have now been immersed in the very local interstellar medium for several years. Both spacecraft carry a plasma wave instrument capable of detecting plasma waves that yield electron density through the determination of the electron plasma frequency. Recent observations by Voyager 1 show increases in density at shocks and pressure fronts that are commensurate with increases in the magnetic field at these structures. Voyager 1 has not observed electron plasma oscillations, thought to be a signature of a nearby shock, since 2019, although Voyager 2 continues to observe these as recently as 2022 November. Voyager 1 also detects a faint thermal emission at the electron plasma frequency that shows the evolution of the plasma density as Voyager moves deeper into the medium. Here, we show the most recent observations from both Voyagers showing the increasing densities in the region upstream of the heliopause. We also investigate the fate of solar transients as they move ever deeper into the interstellar medium.

Physical Sciences

Astronomy & Astrophysics

Science & Technology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Voyager Observations of Electron Densities in the Very Local Interstellar Medium
Creators: W. S. Kurth - University of Iowa
L. F. Burlaga - Davidson College
T. Kim - University of Alabama in Huntsville
N. V. Pogorelov - University of Alabama in Huntsville
L. J. Granroth - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: The Astrophysical journal, Vol.951(1), p.71
DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/acd44c
ISSN: 0004-637X
eISSN: 1538-4357
Publisher: IOP Publishing Ltd
Number of pages: 10
Grant note: MCA07S033 / XSEDE project 80NSSC18K1649; 80NSSC19K0260; 80NSSC21K0004 / NASA; National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust CISE-OAC-2031611; SMD-17-1537 / NSF; National Science Foundation (NSF)
Language: English
Date published: 07/01/2023
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy
Record Identifier: 9984455544402771

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