As the craft ploughs deeper into the galaxy, the NASA team will look for an anticipated
change in magnetic field direction that would
indicate that Voyager 1 is at last clear of all solar influences except gravity, as well as anything that can be gleaned about interstellar space, before we lose contact.
Tapping reports no
change in the sun's
magnetic field so far this cycle and warns that if the sun remains quiet for another year or two, it may
indicate a repeat of that period of drastic cooling of the Earth, bringing massive snowfall and severe weather to the Northern Hemisphere.