A Forecast for a South Heliopause Crossing by Voyager 2 in Late 2014 Using Intensity-time Features of Energetic Particles Observed by V1 and V2 in the North and South Heliosheaths

TL;DR

This study uses particle intensity-time features observed by Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 to predict that Voyager 2 will cross the south heliopause in late 2014, based on comparative analysis of energetic particle profiles.

Contribution

The paper introduces a method of estimating the south heliopause crossing time by comparing marker features in energetic particle profiles from V1 and V2.

Findings

V2 expected to reach south heliopause in late 2014

Identified corresponding features in particle intensity profiles at V1 and V2

Estimated heliosheath thickness based on feature analysis

Abstract

We have used corresponding marker features in the intensity vs. time profile of termination shock particles coming from within the heliosheath and also 5-12 MeV electrons which are coming from beyond the heliopause that are both observed at both V1 and V2 in the outer N and S heliosheaths, to estimate the thickness of the S heliosheath. These features in the N heliosheath have been observed on the CRS instrument on V1 in the N heliosheath beyond 110 AU or within 12 AU of the heliopause. Although the intensity-time features in the S heliosheath are quite different overall, certain features stand out at both V1 and V2. The correspondence of these features in the N and S heliosheath allows us to estimate that V2 will reach the S heliopause near the end of 2014.