An interstellar probe is a space probe that has left—or is expected to leave—the Solar System and enter interstellar space, typically defined as the region beyond the heliopause. It also refers to probes capable of reaching star systems other than the Sun's (capable of interstellar travel within a galaxy).
Interstellar Probe is also the name of a proposed NASA space probe intended to travel out 200 AU in 15 years, studied in 1999.
There are perhaps three areas to consider when examining interstellar probes: existing probes on interstellar trajectories (such as Voyager 1); plans for realistic interstellar probes (such as interstellar precursors); and more extraordinary plans using extreme cost, technology, or physics.
Even though termination shock happens as close as 80-100 AU, the maximum extent of influence of the Sun's gravitational field is thought to be the Hill/Roche sphere at around 230,000 AU (1.1 parsecs (3.6 light-years)). However, that is getting close to the nearest known star system, Alpha Centauri at 1.34 parsec (4.36 light years).
As of 2012, interstellar space is thought lie beyond a magnetic region that begins at about 122 AU, as detected by Voyager 1.
Read more about Interstellar Probe: Existing Interstellar Probes, Trans-Neptunian Probes At Precursor Distances, Proposed Interstellar Probes, Interstellar Concepts, Other Interplanetary Probes of Interest
Famous quotes containing the word probe:
“The middle years are ones in which children increasingly face conflicts on their own,... One of the truths to be faced by parents during this period is that they cannot do the work of living and relating for their children. They can be sounding boards and they can probe with the children the consequences of alternative actions.”
—Dorothy H. Cohen (20th century)