Radio Emission from the Heliopause Triggered by an Interplanetary Shock

A strong heliospheric radio emission event has been detected by Voyagers 1 and 2 in the frequency range of 2 to 3 kilohertz. This event started in July 1992 and is believed to have been generated at or near the heliopause by an interplanetary shock that originated during a period of intense solar activity in late May and early June 1991. This shock produced large plasma disturbances and decreases in cosmic ray intensity at Earth, Pioneers 10 and 11, and Voyagers 1 and 2. The average propagation speed estimated from these effects is 600 to 800 kilometers per second. After correction for the expected decrease in the shock speed in the outer heliosphere, the distance to the heliopause is estimated to be between 116 and 177 astronomical units.