“like an ocean tide…”
NASA Voyager 1 Hits New Region At Solar System’s End
Specifically, beginning in late July, the number of low-energy particles began to dip as the number of high-energy particles increased. While this was expected, as the Sun’s particles are dissipating into outer space and cosmic rays streaming in and replacing them, what followed was not: The two types of particles increased and decreased over the course of several days and weeks, lapping and receding “like an ocean tide” according to NASA, until finally, on August 25, Voyager appeared to have entered a completely new region for good.
I’ve been discovering some nice science reports lately on TPM while in my usual political junky mode. It’s an odd feeling to read and muse upon something like this and then click back to the main page and see some banal crap about the the fiscal cliff negotiations. In the big picture, who gives a flying f anyway? Certainly not the universe.
Comment on December 4, 2012 @ 7:12 am
W/regard to flying forks…
Comment on December 4, 2012 @ 9:18 am
The idea of particle ‘tides’ is quite fitting if you think of a Solar System as a sort of ‘island’ or better, an ‘archipelago’ in galactic space.
Comment on December 4, 2012 @ 10:10 am
Damn that picture for Deteriorata is disturbing. Must think about solar tides…
Comment on December 4, 2012 @ 10:29 am
Rats, big cats — is there anything you’re not phobic about?
I want to go surfing on the solar tides, man. Catch the Big One to Andromeda.
Think about exactly what Voyager is experiencing — right at this moment — tiny little Sol fading away behind it, nothing but the fucking deepest starfield ever seen in front — the loneliest bit of human invention ever made.
Comment on December 4, 2012 @ 5:18 pm
I’m not afraid of the rats, I’m thinking about that kid. Imagine if it was one of yours? I bet you’d be snatchin’ and bootin’ in a flash.
Love the IA. He deserves a monument. In fact, where’s the Rushmore for SF writers?
Comment on December 4, 2012 @ 5:55 pm
re #6: Devil’s Tower, Wyoming of course!
of COURSE! – WHERE ELSE??
Comment on December 4, 2012 @ 6:59 pm
re #5: when it comes to galactic surfing, Gravity waves are primo! And Totally Bitchin’ Dude!!
ca. 1963
Comment on December 4, 2012 @ 7:10 pm
re: #7, of course! It also solves the problem of who’s faces we’d have to put up there. Too many choices. Besides, it should be a celebration of minds, not faces.
Towering intellect, imagination aimed straight at the heavens. A beacon for the aliens. Perfect.
Comment on December 4, 2012 @ 8:46 pm
Re #8 — I miss that whole era.
Comment on December 4, 2012 @ 10:36 pm