Now a days if you want to see pictures of the solar system you just search it on the internet have you ever think this from where these pictures come which camera clicked these pictures? In this article, I am going to discuss the Voyager mission for NASA(Voyager 1 and 2) and some information about Voyager 1 and Voyager 2.
Voyager space probe(credit-britannica)
In 1977 NASA launched the Voyager 1 space probe this mission is mainly for the study of the Solar System and beyond. It is currently the farthest human-made object from Earth, having traveled more than 14 billion miles from our planet.
After this mission, NASA launches its new space probe which is Voyager 2 it was launched by NASA on August 20, 1977, about two weeks before its twin spacecraft, Voyager 1. Like Voyager 1, Voyager 2 was also designed to study the outer planets of our solar system, including Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
spacecraft and its instruments
Voyager-1
Here are some of the key instruments onboard the Voyager 1 spacecraft:
Voyager 2(Credit-Wikipedia)
- Plasma Science Experiment (PLS): This instrument measures the density, temperature, and speed of the solar wind, which is a stream of charged particles that flows from the Sun.
- Low-Energy Charged Particle Instrument (LECP): LECP detects low-energy charged particles in the solar wind and cosmic rays, which are high-energy particles that come from outside our solar system
- Imaging Science System (ISS): The ISS instrument takes photographs of the planets and moons in our solar system as Voyager 1 passes by them.
- Ultraviolet Spectrometer (UVS): The UVS instrument measures the ultraviolet light emitted by the atmospheres of planets and moons in our solar system.
Voyager-2
Here are some of the instruments aboard Voyager 2:
Voyager 2 (Credit-NASA)
- Plasma Science Experiment (PLS): The PLS measures the properties of the plasma, which is a gas composed of charged particles, in the Solar System. The instrument consists of three sensors that can detect plasma density, velocity, and temperature.
- Cosmic Ray Subsystem (CRS): The CRS is used to detect and measure cosmic rays, which are high-energy particles that come from outside the Solar System. This instrument helps scientists understand the origins of cosmic rays and how they affect the Solar System.
- Ultraviolet Spectrometer (UVS): The UVS measures the ultraviolet light emitted by the Sun and other sources. This instrument helps scientists understand the composition and structure of the outer Solar System.
- Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS): The ISS takes pictures of the planets, moons, and other objects in the Solar System. This instrument has two cameras that can take both wide-angle and narrow-angle images.
- Infrared Interferometer Spectrometer and Radiometer (IRIS): The IRIS measures the infrared radiation emitted by the planets, moons, and other objects in the Solar System. This instrument helps scientists study the composition and temperature of these objects.
- Magnetometer (MAG): The MAG measures the strength and direction of the magnetic fields in the Solar System. This instrument helps scientists understand how the magnetic fields of planets and moons are generated and how they affect the Solar System.
These instruments have allowed scientists to learn a great deal about our solar system and beyond.
The Grand Tour of Outer Planets by Voyager 1 and 2
The primary objective of these missions is to study the planet's composition, atmospheric properties, magnetic fields, and other physical characteristics.
Voyager(Credit-sciencephoto)
The mission's primary objectives were The spacecraft followed a carefully planned trajectory that allowed them to visit Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. At each planet, the spacecraft made groundbreaking discoveries and took the first close-up images of the planets and their moons. Among the most significant discoveries were the great red spot on Jupiter, the complex rings of Saturn, the 10 previously undiscovered moons of Uranus, and the two new rings and six new moons of Neptune.
The Voyager mission produced a wealth of scientific data that continues to be analyzed and studied today. The data has greatly increased our understanding of the outer planets and their moons and provided valuable insights into the formation and evolution of the Solar System. The mission also inspired future space exploration missions, including the Cassini mission to Saturn and the New Horizons mission to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt.
The Legacy of the Voyager Mission
The Voyager missions, particularly Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, have been instrumental in shaping our understanding of the Solar System and outer space beyond. As these probes continue to explore the edges of the Solar System, they have even provided insights into interstellar space. For example, Voyager 1 became the first human-made object to enter interstellar space in 2012, and Voyager 2 followed in 2018. Both probes have detected and provided valuable data on interstellar objects, which has been critical in expanding our understanding of the cosmos.
Picture from Voyager(Credit-planetary)
Voyager 2, in particular, has captured stunning images of the outer planets of the Solar System, including Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The images provided by this probe have not only contributed to our scientific knowledge of these planets but have also captured the imagination of people around the world. Voyager 2's iconic "Pale Blue Dot" photo, taken in 1990 as the spacecraft left the Solar System, has become an iconic image in human history, representing our place in the vast expanse of the universe.
Today, Voyager 2 continues to operate and send valuable data to scientists on Earth. It is currently located in the heliosheath, the outermost layer of the heliosphere, and is expected to remain operational until 2025. However, the probe's exact lifespan is unknown, and it may continue to operate beyond its projected end date, providing further insights into the mysteries of the Solar System and beyond.
The Voyager missions have been a testament to human innovation and exploration, providing us with invaluable knowledge about our place in the universe. As we continue to explore and study interstellar space, the Voyager probes will undoubtedly serve as important benchmarks for our understanding of the cosmos and will continue to inspire future generations of scientists and space enthusiasts alike.
In conclusion
The Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft have greatly expanded our understanding of the outer Solar System and beyond. Both spacecraft have provided groundbreaking discoveries and insights into the composition, behavior, and history of the planets, moons, and other celestial bodies they have encountered.
Despite their differences in trajectories and mission objectives, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 have demonstrated the tremendous potential of space exploration and the value of long-term space missions. Both spacecraft continue to operate and send valuable data back to Earth, even after more than four decades of travel.
As we look to the future of space exploration, the Voyagers serve as a reminder of the incredible feats that can be achieved with human ingenuity and perseverance. They also remind us of the vastness and complexity of the universe, and the importance of continued exploration and discovery.