Now I know why Aliens are so interested in our solar system...

	Now I know why Aliens are so interested in our solar system...
	Solar system and Milky Way doing the splits Irene Klotz Discovery News Tuesday, 5 June 2007 doing the splits Doing the splits: the magnetic field in interstellar space is propelling our solar system along at a 60-90° angle to the rest of the galaxy Our solar system is travelling in a different direction to the rest of the Milky Way, scientists say. When they used radio signals from two spacecraft nearing interstellar space to map the route, they had some unexpected results. The researchers determined that the magnetic field in interstellar space is propelling our solar system along at a 60-90° angle to the rest of the galaxy. That's happening because the part of the interstellar magnetic field that comes closest to our system is not parallel to the spiraling arms of the galaxy, as it appears to be elsewhere. As a result, our solar system has taken on a bullet-shaped appearance as it soars through space, says Dr Merav Opher, an assistant professor from George Mason University in Virginia, who publishes the research in the journal Science. The researchers used data from the two 30-year-old Voyager probes and computer modelling to calculate the solar system's position. To measure our solar system, scientists study the places where the Sun's influence ends and interstellar space begins, an area known as the heliosphere. The Sun's domain is flecked with ionised particles called the solar wind, which surrounds the system like a bubble. Beyond the bubble is interstellar space, which contains mostly hydrogen and helium. Researchers modelled the area where the heliosphere runs into the interstellar magnetic field and beyond to find the odd angle. Studying the interaction between the heliosphere and interstellar space yields insights into phenomena that can affect Earth, such as galactic cosmic rays, points out Professor Randy Jokipii, with the University of Arizona in Tucson, in a related paper in Science. Voyager 1 has passed through the outer bubble of solar wind is now exploring a transition region known as the heliosheath. Voyager 2 has yet to pass through the solar wind termination zone. Additional studies are planned using both probes as well as the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, and a new spacecraft called the Interstellar Boundary Explorer, is scheduled to launch next year.