The definition of “The Edge of the Solar System” depends upon the scientist. For those who study particles and fields, the solar system is the bubble that the solar wind has blown in interstellar space, which we call the heliosphere. Right now, the two Voyager spacecraft are exploring the edge of our heliosphere and beyond. The Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) is also studying the interaction between the heliosphere and the galaxy, but from orbit around the Earth. The boundary between the solar system and interstellar space is a lot more complicated than we ever imagined. Learn about some of the discoveries from these missions and what NASA has planned for the future.
 
About the Speaker:

Dr. Eric Christian is a Senior Research Scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. He is the Deputy Principal Investigator for the Integrated Scientific Investigation of the Sun (ISʘIS) energetic particle suite on the Parker Solar Probe mission that launched in August 2018 and is also Deputy Principal Investigator for the newly selected Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP). He is Mission Scientist for the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) and Project Scientist for the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE). He is also a Co-I on two cubesat missions (CeRES, launched December 2018 and CuSP, launch in 2020). His scientific interests are the origin of energetic particles (galactic cosmic rays, anomalous cosmic rays, solar energetic particles, and energetic neutral atoms) and the design, construction, integration and test of particle detectors. He has been active in NASA communications, outreach, and public affairs throughout his career. 
                   
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