Interstellar Probe — Where is the “Nose” of the Heliosphere?

Abstract

In this paper are reviewed publications that were concerned about the discovery of the location of the heliopause “nose” by the Newtonian Approximation method and publications using the full three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the heliosphere that confirmed that discovery. Since we do not have a clear answer to the question of what the heliosphere looks like, in connection with the planned launch of the Interstellar Probe within this decade, there was a problem with deciding which direction to send it. The discovery of the movement of the “nose” of the heliopause depending on the direction of the interstellar magnetic field and the determination of the position of the “nose” is very important for this decision. Therefore, the purpose of the article is to answer the question of where is the “nose” of the heliopause. In the second part of the article, the possibility of changing the paradigm of scientific research projects related to interstellar missions (including those focused on the study of the heliosphere), among other things, by increasing the interdisciplinarity of research, is explored. As part of initiating such cooperation, the article develops social sciences themes related to the sustainable logistics of Interstellar Probe missions to increase public involvement in these projects.