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New Horizons Expected to Hit Termination Shock by 2040

7/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. researchers predict New Horizons will encounter the solar system’s termination shock sometime between 2029 and 2040.
The prediction is based on solar-wind models published in The Astrophysical Journal and Advances in Space Research.
After its Pluto flyby on Jan 1 2019, New Horizons is now about 66 AU from the Sun.
Scientists say the probe could cross the termination shock multiple times as the heliosphere shifts, a region whose shape is still debated.

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Story summary

U.S. researchers predict New Horizons will encounter the solar system’s termination shock sometime between 2029 and 2040.
The prediction is based on solar-wind models published in The Astrophysical Journal and Advances in Space Research.
After its Pluto flyby on Jan 1 2019, New Horizons is now about 66 AU from the Sun.
Scientists say the probe could cross the termination shock multiple times as the heliosphere shifts, a region whose shape is still debated.