Voyager 2 discovers solar system is bent. What does this mean?

Question

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/space/12/11/solarsystem.edge.ap/index.html

Lol@Faesson

You mean DARTH CHENEY? lol

Answer 1

Astronomers used to think that the solar system was symmetrical. In other words, it's shape was uniform all the way around. They thought that it was like a perfectly spherical bubble around the solar system. But astronomers, after studying other aspects of the solar system, began to question this viewpoint. Without direct evidence, all they could do is come up with thoughts. Voyager 2, since it had instruments that are still working (Voyager 1's similar instrument hasn't been working), was able to take measurements as it passed through the termination shock. As it states in the article, that is the point at which charged particles from the sun begin to dramatically slow down. Now, those thoughts are beginning to get proof.

These measurements showed that there are slight variations in this termination shock, likely due to the magnetic fields of intersteller gas that are in that area. These variations mean that the solar system is not uniform (assymetrical) all the way around it's edge. So instead of a perfectly smooth, spherical bubble, you get a somewhat spherical bubble that has dents or bulges here and there along the edge. And they are also getting to see possible sources for these dents and bulges. It's most exciting because it is helping us further define the space around our solar system.

By the way, thanks for the question, I hadn't seen that news yet.

Answer 2

it means we are not meant to be straight.. lol.. long live same sex marriage.

what it really means is that the Voyager 2 found new evidence that the solar system is asymmetrical, likely from disturbances in the interstellar magnetic field. It was long suspected to be bent but there were not much evidence to prove it.

Voyager 2 crossed a barrier in the solar system known as the termination shock in August, some 10 billion miles from where Voyager 1 passed through. The termination shock is the region where charged particles from the sun abruptly slow down as they collide with other particles and a magnetic field in interstellar gas.

Scientists believe the unevenness is caused by the interstellar magnetic field that is pitched at an angle to the plane of the Milky Way.

Answer 3

I blame Dick Cheney.

(seriously, though, they predicted Voyager1's entry into the Termination Shock, and it seemed to be there, then it wasn't, leading some scientists to theorize that the distance to the TS varies with Solar activity and the Sun was getting more active, moving the TS out. Its like crossing the Indiana-Ohio border, then ten miles later, doing it again.. huh?)

Answer 4

They though that the boundary of the solar system should be like the edge of a normal shock wave, ie smooth and curved. What they meant by bent is that they found that this is not the case. The boundary is kind of zigzag like, not smooth.

Answer 5

That the solar system is squash