Interstellar Pathfinder - A Mission to the Inner Edge of the Interstellar Medium

D. J. McComas, P. A. Bochsler, L. A. Fisk, H. O. Funsten, J. Geiss, G. Gloeckler, M. Gruntman, D. L. Judge, S. M. Krimigis, R. P. Lin, S. Livi, D. G. Mitchell, E. Möbius, E. C. Roelof, N. A. Schwadron, M. Witte, J. Woch, P. Wurz, T. H. Zurbuchen

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Interstellar Pathfinder (ISP), our first step into the interstellar medium, is a scientific investigation to study the outer boundary of our heliosphere and the interstellar matter that flows into it. A wind of interstellar neutral gas penetrates to within several astronomical units (AU) of the Sun, giving us a direct sample of present-day galactic matter. ISP is a mission to this inner edge of the interstellar medium. Using highly sensitive instrumentation, ISP will determine the composition of our local interstellar environment. It will also take the first global images of the boundary region of the heliosphere at 100 to 150 AU. These measurements will allow ISP to answer fundamental questions about the origin of the solar system and the stars, about the evolution of our galaxy and of the universe, and about the characteristics of our local galactic environment and its influence on the heliosphere.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSolar Wind Ten
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of the 10th International Solar Wind Conference
EditorsMarco Velli, Roberto Bruno, Francesco Malara
PublisherAmerican Institute of Physics Inc.
Pages834-837
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)0735401489
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2 2003
Externally publishedYes
Event10th International Solar Wind Conference - Pisa, Italy
Duration: Jun 17 2002Jun 21 2002

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume679
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Other

Other10th International Solar Wind Conference
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityPisa
Period6/17/026/21/02

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Interstellar Pathfinder - A Mission to the Inner Edge of the Interstellar Medium'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this