heliosphere

noun

he·​li·​o·​sphere ˈhē-lē-ə-ˌsfir How to pronounce heliosphere (audio) -ō- How to pronounce heliosphere (audio)
: the region in space influenced by the sun or solar wind
heliospheric
ˌhē-lē-ə-ˈsfir-ik How to pronounce heliosphere (audio)
-ˈsfer-
-lē-ō-
adjective

Examples of heliosphere in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Both are in interstellar space and are the only spacecraft ever to operate beyond the heliosphere, the sun’s bubble of magnetic fields and particles that extends well beyond the orbit of Pluto. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 Unaffected by electromagnetic fields, these uncharged particles continuously drift into the heliosphere. Diane Hope, Ars Technica, 12 Dec. 2023 One remaining uncertainty is where and when New Horizons will be able to collect critical data at a key location: upon its exit from the heliosphere. Diane Hope, Ars Technica, 12 Dec. 2023 Where is Voyager 2? Voyager 2, which is nearly 46 years into its mission, is roughly 12.4 billion miles from Earth after leaving the heliosphere — the shield that protects the planets from interstellar radiation — five years ago, according to NASA. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 7 Aug. 2023 In 2018, the spacecraft left the heliosphere, which is the outer layer of particles and magnetic field created by the sun, according to NASA. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 3 Aug. 2023 The blowing of the solar wind creates an enormous magnetic bubble around the Sun, known as the heliosphere. Corey S. Powell, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2021 From that measurement scientists determined that the plasma was more than 40 times denser than what Voyager had encountered in the outer layer of the heliosphere — a density on par with that expected in interstellar space. Lisa Raffensperger, Discover Magazine, 12 Sep. 2013 Both are in interstellar space and the only spacecraft to operate beyond the heliosphere, the sun’s bubble of magnetic fields and particles that extends well beyond the orbit of Pluto. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 10 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heliosphere.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

helio- + -sphere

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heliosphere was in 1967

Dictionary Entries Near heliosphere

Cite this Entry

“Heliosphere.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heliosphere. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

heliosphere

noun
he·​li·​o·​sphere ˈhē-lē-ə-ˌsfir How to pronounce heliosphere (audio) -ō- How to pronounce heliosphere (audio)
: the region of space that is affected by the sun or solar wind

More from Merriam-Webster on heliosphere

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