Heliosphere
type: Concept
narrower: Heliopause

Solar wind
type: Concept
narrower: Heliopause

Heliopause
type: Concept
contributor: AAS Frey.Katie
broader: Heliosphere
broader: Solar wind
definition: The edge of the solar system where the pressure of the solar wind balances that of the interstellar medium plasma. In other words, the surface boundary that separates the heliosphere from interstellar space. It is estimated to be situated 100 astronomical units or more from the Sun. A bow shock likely forms as the interstellar medium wind approaches the heliosphere and is deflected around the heliosphere, forcing it into a teardrop-shaped structure with a long, comet-like tail.
modified: 2020-11-09T16:12:33.531Z
modified: 2020-11-09T16:12:22.822Z