Voyager 2, the only spacecraft ever to have visited Uranus and Neptune, has reached a new landmark: between August 31 and September 1, 2007, it crossed and then left behind the termination shock at the edge of the solar system. This makes Voyager 2 only the second spacecraft known to have passed through this turbulent region, following its twin, Voyager 1. A collection of papers published in the July 3 issue of Nature report on the event, demonstrating that more than 30 years after its launch Voyager 2 is still a source of invaluable scientific data.

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Hit Me

Nearly 31 years into its epic journey Voyager 2 has passed beyond the heliosphere and into the heliosheath. The next stop is the "heliopause," marking the outer boundary of the Sun's influence and the true beginning of interstellar space. Will Voyager 2 report to Earth on this landmark as well? It is impossible to say. But judging by their unmatched track record, it seems more than likely that Voyager 2 and its twin, Voyager 1, will become humanity's first eyes and ears in the realm of the stars.

that is unbelievably...

31 years and working...

more Info

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2005-084

Approaching Interstellar Space Quicktime Video

http://cc.jpl.nasa.gov/voyager/050523-voyager.qtl

Sound of solar wind Audio und Video Animation

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/videos/voyager/voy-shock-audio.mpg

25 Year Anniversary interactive Flash presentation

http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/JPLvoyagerModule/JPLvoyagerModule.html

Greetings from Germany NRW
Ulli

this is nice :)

normaly i get this

in the Cafe

Um ein neues Thema in Cafe SETI anlegen zu können, müssen Sie über ein gewisses Guthaben verfügen. Dies soll vor Missbrauch des Systems schützen.

Mein Guthaben sollte eigentlich ausreichen

i think that my Rac is High enough...

a problem with the Board ore somethink....

Greetings from Germany NRW
Ulli

Sir Ulli

Thank you for the info on Voyager--good post.

I have relatives still living in Bavaria.

Willhelm Rothamel (Rothermel) shows up in the 1860 census in New York City Hall records.

regards

Bill Rothamel

Ok, what is the termination shock region of the solar system and why does it exist? Seems like their isn't much 'stuff' out there to be very shocking.

<edit> I hit "hit me" and found what appears to be a rather readable note. Perhaps that will satisfy my curiosity. </edit>

Thanks for the "Hit Me" link, Sir Ulli. Great reading.

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