NASA's Voyager 2 probe, which launched over 40 years ago, has made history yet again. It has become the second human-made object to leave our solar system and enter into interstellar space, following its sibling, Voyager 1. Now, the probe has "beamed back" its first data from that vast and uncharted territory.
The Voyager missions were launched in the late 1970s, and their primary objective was the exploration of our solar system. The spacecraft have visited the gas giants Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, providing us with invaluable data and imagery. Despite their initial missions being complete, the spacecraft continue to operate and explore the bounds of our solar system.
For the last few years, scientists have eagerly awaited Voyager 2's entrance into interstellar space. In November 2018, the probe officially crossed the boundary, becoming only the second human-made object to do so. This remarkable achievement provided us with important data about the conditions and characteristics of interstellar space.
Since Voyager 2's entrance into interstellar space, it has been communicating with Earth from over 11 billion miles away. Now, the probe has "beamed back" its first data, and it is highly anticipated. This data includes readings for interstellar magnetic fields, cosmic rays, and heliospheric plasma. These readings will provide scientists with significant insights into interstellar space and how it differs from our solar system.
The Voyager missions have been groundbreaking for our understanding of our solar system and beyond. Voyager 2's entrance into interstellar space and the data it has returned will only further our understanding of the universe. These discoveries will help to answer fundamental questions about the nature of our universe, such as how it was formed and what other forms of life may exist beyond our solar system.
The Voyager missions are a testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of humanity. The Voyager 2 probe, in particular, has made history yet again with its entrance into interstellar space and the data it has returned. These discoveries will have profound implications for our understanding of the universe and what it may hold.
