The contraction would also apply to rockets which send probes to other worlds or the interplanetary medium.
The Pulse ionized the interplanetary medium around the planet." "
How the interplanetary medium interacts with planets depends on whether they have magnetic fields or not.
The interplanetary medium is responsible for several effects which can be seen from earth.
It is caused by sunlight scattering off dust particles in the interplanetary medium between the Earth and the Sun.
In particular, the magnetic "polar cap" where field lines are open to the interplanetary medium is much larger near the south pole.
This faint glow is thought to be caused by tiny particles in the interplanetary medium reflecting light back at the observer.
"There is no record of any extensive survey being made of this system's interplanetary medium;" Kempster said.
The interplanetary medium is home to at least two disc-like regions of cosmic dust.
The cause could be drag from the interplanetary medium, including dust, solar wind and cosmic rays.