Parts of The Heliosphere
Our solar system
Let's learn the parts of the heliosphere!We'll go from the inside out. First, here is our solar system. You can see our sun in the center.
Image Credit: NASA
Termination Shock
That may sound confusing, but think of it like this - termination means that something comes to an end, and shock is when something happens suddenly. Do you remember how solar wind travels at about one million miles per hour? Termination Shock is where the solar wind begins to hit interstellar medium and it slows down quickly.
Our solar system
Image Credit: NASA
The Heliosheath
In the heliosheath, the solar wind meets high pressure from the interstellar medium and it piles up, becoming thicker and hotter.So the solar wind slowed down in the Termination Shock, and now it's getting all piled up!
Our solar system
Image Credit: NASA
The Heliopause
The heliopause is the outer edge of the heliosphere. Here, the solar wind and the interstellar medium push on each other with equal pressure. The solar wind doesn't go any farther into space.
Our solar system
Image Credit: NASA
Voyager 1 and Voyager 2
In this picture, you can see Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. These are the first spacecraft to ever travel this far! They have passed through the heliopause, and they are now in interstellar space. You will learn about interstellar space in another lesson.
Our solar system
Image Credit: NASA
Payhip Course_Components of the Heliosphere
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Transcript
Parts of The Heliosphere
Our solar system
Let's learn the parts of the heliosphere!We'll go from the inside out. First, here is our solar system. You can see our sun in the center.
Image Credit: NASA
Termination Shock
That may sound confusing, but think of it like this - termination means that something comes to an end, and shock is when something happens suddenly. Do you remember how solar wind travels at about one million miles per hour? Termination Shock is where the solar wind begins to hit interstellar medium and it slows down quickly.
Our solar system
Image Credit: NASA
The Heliosheath
In the heliosheath, the solar wind meets high pressure from the interstellar medium and it piles up, becoming thicker and hotter.So the solar wind slowed down in the Termination Shock, and now it's getting all piled up!
Our solar system
Image Credit: NASA
The Heliopause
The heliopause is the outer edge of the heliosphere. Here, the solar wind and the interstellar medium push on each other with equal pressure. The solar wind doesn't go any farther into space.
Our solar system
Image Credit: NASA
Voyager 1 and Voyager 2
In this picture, you can see Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. These are the first spacecraft to ever travel this far! They have passed through the heliopause, and they are now in interstellar space. You will learn about interstellar space in another lesson.
Our solar system
Image Credit: NASA