strange definition of temperature

Voyager 2 finds solar system's shape is 'dented'
http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSN1044867120071211

"Voyager scientists had expected the temperatures within the
termination shock to be about 1,000,000 degrees Fahrenheit (555,500 C)
as material normally slows down and is heated up when it encounters an
obstacle in a normal shock wave.

But according to Edward Stone of California Institute of technology,
the temperatures registered were much lower, at around 200,000 degrees
F (111,100 C). Also, Voyager 1 made only one crossing into the
termination shock while Voyager 2 has made at least five shock
crossings over several days which allowed them to collect more data."

Methinks the Voyager spacecraft will start to disintegrate at around
2000 degrees C... eh?

M

.

Relevant Pages

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  • Re: strange definition of temperature
    ... "Voyager scientists had expected the temperatures within the ... termination shock to be about 1,000,000 degrees Fahrenheit ...
    (sci.physics)
  • Re: strange definition of temperature
    ... "Voyager scientists had expected the temperatures within the ... termination shock to be about 1,000,000 degrees Fahrenheit ... Voyager 1 made only one crossing into the ...
    (sci.physics)
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