Interstellar Boundary Explorer is a NASA satellite in Earth orbit that uses energetic neutral atoms to image the interaction region between the Solar System and interstellar space. The mission is part
IBEX satellite
IBEX mission logo Explorer program← AIM (Explorer 90)WISE (Explorer 92) →
IBEX (right) and Star 27.
IBEX spin balance testing
Local Interstellar Cloud
Videos
The Local Interstellar Cloud, also known as the Local Fluff, is an interstellar cloud roughly 30 light-years across, through which the Solar System is moving. This feature overlaps with a region aroun
Interstellar Boundary Explorer
…than anyone previously believed". It is unknown what is creating the energetic neutral atoms (ENA) ribbon. The Sun is currently traveling through the Local Interstellar Cloud, and the heliosphere's size and shape are key factors in determining its shielding power from cosmic rays. Should IBEX detect changes in the shape of…
The Solar System within the interstellar medium, with the different regions and their distances on a logarithmic scale (object sizes not to scale)