ScienceCasts: Voyager 1 at the Final Frontier

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At the edge of the solar system, Voyager 1 is reporting a sharp increase in cosmic rays that could herald the spacecraft's long-awaited entry into interstellar space.

[@RedircSiuol]

Cameras are attached, but not in use. They were shut down in 1990, to save energy for interstellar space. The computers here on Earth that were designed to analyze the photos are gone, and the cold temperatures of deep space have likely made the cameras unusable.

[@GEnghusen]

"How lucky we are, to live in this time, the first moment in human history where we are, in fact, visiting other worlds!" You would love to hear that we are now almost visiting the interstellar space, Carl.

[@sidoney101]

One of the greatest machines man has ever built. Incredible that Voyager 1 and 2 are still operating after all this time with the distance involved. I hope one day we would have the technology to retrieve them.

[@nirbija]

And here's what I'm restating: Different sets of minds in the Universe may be using different 'abstract systems'. However, that difference of use wouldn't prevent the different groups of minds from adjusting to, and understanding, new/different 'abstract systems' -- systems other than the one they are accustomed to using. Minds DO have that immense capability. In fact the world of objects & their innumerable interactions are understood because of the incredible capacity of mind.

[@TexasRho83]

The concept alone is mind boggling...nevermind the fact that we may get to see it happen in our lifetime :)

[@Burlyhawk]

It blows my mind they are still operating, let alone in good health. Simply amazing! I can't wait to find out what they discover out there.

[@thunderfox53]

Ya but you got to edmit, Voyager gots the guts for surviving this long and still has years in it life. Voyager is still my favorite space probe

[@MrYoumitube]

Maybe in 50-100 years time we have designed a probe or space craft to travel to interstellar space and fly by Voyager I & II and take a photo which will be amazing.

[@keylawk]

On the verge of a great break-through.

[@riderlibertas2580]

I remember when it left earth. I can't believe that was 35 years ago. Exciting times to be sure!

[@michaellast3297]

New horizons is traveling at 16.26 km/s, while Voyager 1 is traveling at 17.145 km/s and has a 35 year head start...

[@saxoman1]

Beautiful. Yet at the same time, stupefying. The distances/times involved are simply mind-boggling/intimidating. I wonder what it would feel like to be way out there with Voyager 1 looking back at our Sun. Would it be the brightest star in our view? Or would it seamlessly blend into the tapestry of the Milky Way? I wounder how dark it would look out there. I wonder if because of the darkness, the galactic core (and stars, nebulae, distant galaxies) has a commanding pretense in our grand view.

[@siriuscosmos]

Wow! ...Been watching these 2 spacecraft for years...very exciting!

[@Okieman46]

Follow the Voyagers on Twitter, they post Voyager II light time(radio time) to earth daily. Voyager II is 13 Hours 35 Minutes

[@markymoviemaker]

when they flew past planets like for example jupiter they like "fell" towards the surface partially and thus accelerated. imagine flying over the earth, falling towards it, accelerating, but having just enough speed not to hit the earth but to "fall down" just behind it, going faster than you went before..

[@vinfiend]

The high probability that the first intelligent life that Voyager 1 and 2 will come across will most likely be Humanity itself is specifically why Carl Sagan put "Please leave me alone', in English, on the plaques of both craft (or so I've heard).....retrieval was not in the original Vision of what the mission was meant to do.....just coz we could retrieve them eventually, doesn't mean that we should...

[@CmdrGendoIkari]

Space between stars is truly vast in a way humans can't comprehend worth a damn. We aren't going to be visiting another star system anytime soon. Without some huge breakthrough in propulsion technology that isn't even on the scientific horizon, interstellar travel is a pipe dream. I don't think it matters though. We have a very interesting Solar System that is well within our reach if we muster the ambition to invest in exploring it instead of wasting time and resources warring with one another.

[@thegatorhator6822]

Voyager 1 is a pretty cool guy, he leaves the galaxy and doesn't afraid of anything

[@EduardoWalcacer]

Voyager is going towards the mass relay's gravity field. Citadel, here we go!

[@truvak]

Dr. Sagan would be very happy about this :)

[@nirbija]

They should have been sending out one of these potentially interstellar crafts every couple of years or so, with faster speed and more and more sophisticated instrumentation.

[@valkiris]

A distance of one light year would take V1 17,000 years to complete, at it's current velocity (relative to us).

[@Snowwie88]

The ironic thing is, that space exploration is made possible by wars. Without wars, no Werner von Braun who invented the first crude (v2) rockets.

[@Thegeeksquadofone]

Crap! I thought you meant the Federation Starship! Still cool though. :)

[@thunderfox53]

Voyager 1 is fying through space at speeds of 11miles a second but you guys are right halois 1 and 2 hold the speed recored

[@buttkrusties2985]

They position the trajectory to do a near fly by of a planet, lets say Jupiter/Neptune/Uranus and the gravity from that planet gives it a rubber band like affect that whips it into another direction after it goes by the planet it briefly orbited. Pretty crazy how they can calculate this stuff....

[@MrKorrazonCold]

"There dosen't seem to be any space anywhere!, and thats why we can these objects spherically distributed around us, as the waves come, which are then interpreted by the individual observers brain as time unfolds"

[@AbsurdAsparagus]

99.999% no i doubt that 90% sure. the primary reason its not going very fast and there are many people that would want to go visit it.

[@Thuggin2222]

It's no longer a spaceship. It's now a Starship.

[@thunderfox53]

"HALIOS" NOT "halois" sorry for that error.

[@VictorKidd53]

Well see what Star Wars really was all about when Voyager 1 enters Interstellar space!

[@zauris3]

This spacecraft was launched in 1977, do you expect it having a video signal? If you're talking about new, similar spacecraft, there's none similar to voyagers & pioneers. These are the only ones which got pass neptune. Look for New Horizon mission, which is heading to Pluto (eta: 2015), I hope it's mission will also be extended to head for interstellar space. Problem with such missions is that it takes decades to reach outer planets..

[@saxoman1]

I wonder what it would feel like knowing that I would never be able to go back home (earth and solar system generally) again and that I was on a one way journey into the seemingly infinite interstellar void. It must be so cold out there.You probably can't see your own hand (unless, correct me if I'm wrong, the galactic core is very bright/illuminating compared to the darkness of interstellar space). Yet even out here at these fantastic speeds, it will take 40,000 years to "reach" a star. *sigh

[@rangeclerk]

NASA & JPL folks 'know' how to save energy. Forgot the exact number, but the bulb in your refreg generates more wattage then those probes. They are transmitting data and being recieved by the Deep Space Tracking Net; each radio telescope separated by 120 degees distant--GoldStone CA., one in Australia and the other in Spain.

[@jerzeydolphins]

This is truly HISTORIC !! Great Job Fellow AMERICANS

[@ROBINSONMARTE]

Desde el minuto 0:53 hasta el minuto 1:08 se describe brevemente la "Heliosfera" y se establece que es una gran burbuja magnética creada por el Sol y que además es inflada grandemente por el "viento solar", pero si uno entra a la página "The Weatherspace" verá el dato sobre la densidad este viento, más o menos 3.5 protones por centímetro cúbico, y ese dato es observado por satélites en la vecindad de la Tierra, y la Tierra está a 150 millones de kilómetros de nuestra estrella.

I love science

[@swappoandsherry694]

Great discoveries are not too far from humans now. Maybe the direction change(Change in the trajectory) of the Voyager will cause the loss of contact which will further lead to the hibernation of Voyager like Rosetta spacecraft. Hope everything will go fine and Voyager will elaborate us the Interstellar data.

[@SynAngel]

Good to know if we do it right we can last 30+ years in space

[@Meatshakea]

Does that mean that voyager 1 is actually in interstellar space right now? Since it will take time for information to send from voyager 1 to earth? Also, would solar winds destroy voyager 1 in any way?

[@toocoolforu]

They built quite a long lasting spacecraft! That's too bad that the weaker and weaker nuclear power source decay won't allow transmissions in a decade or two.

[@thunderfox53]

Because voyager was built for this mission. Voyagers gets its power from the sun (like all probes). I don't think they can send a probe to change Voyagers batteries.

[@blobrana]

Good upload

[@fattonysullivan]

Great video, kids!

[@libraryquiet]

It's leaving the boundaries of our solar system not the galaxy.

[@cmkwan59]

Dr. Carl Sagan, this is for you!

[@Alpha6059]

Good luck for Voyager I and II...

[@rangeclerk]

Agree with investing and developing our solar system. "IF" there are 'ETs' with advance technologies they have or are doing what we need to do; industrialize and colonize our solar system. Later, star-travel could be done, but will be a one-way trip at a percentage of 'c' velocity.

[@ROBINSONMARTE]

¿Hasta qué punto este ambiente energético dentro del que se mueve la Tierra afecta las magnitudes físicas que valoramos o medimos en nuestro planeta?¿Hasta qué punto no estamos siendo cegados por este velo en nuestra observación del Universo? ¿Nuestras constantes y variables físicas no están siendo afectadas por ser parte de la heliosfera?He dicho que al nosotros estar inmersos dentro del aliento de una estrella deberíamos tomar en cuentas esa realidad a la hora de definir la magnitudes físicas.

[@jozet77]

Very impressive!!

[@1MuchButteR1]

How long does it take for voyager 1 to send back its signal to Earth from its current location?

[@enogael]

Won't the new interstellar environment destroy the spacecraft due to the higher number of cosmic rays hitting it ? or are they harmless ?

[@ROBINSONMARTE]

Mientras que esta información sobre la heliosfera, de que la Voyager 1 está en su frontera, se refiere a una zona ubicada a 18 mil millones de kilómetros del Sol. ¿Se mantiene esa densidad del viento solar a una distancia tan grande de la estrella?, suponiendo que no sea así, que la distribución de esa densidad del viento solar sea una función de la distancia al Sol, entonces:¿cómo se puede decir que ese viento solar infla grandemente a la heliosfera? ¿qué otros componentes contiene este viento?

[@WK3nn3dy]

Wo yes! This is history!

[@ROBINSONMARTE]

¿Cómo se estable esa conexión entre la rarificada presencia del viento solar a esa distancia y la presencia allí del campo magnético solar? Una esfera de radio igual a una Distancia Astronómica con centro por el Sol tiene una densidad de 3.5 protones por centímetro cúbico en su superficie, ¿qué densidad tendría otra con radio igual a 18 mil millones de kilómetros? ¿Cómo se da esa conexión entre ese ralo viento solar y la extensión y agrandamiento del campo magnético protector del sistema solar?

[@MercS600W140-600SEL-LORINSER]

18 hours waiting time to receive an answer after the 18 hours to ask the question in the 1st place,takes 36 hours all up to complete any message,so be patient .

[@Contakum]

Voyager 1 proves we can make electronic instruments that can practically last forever. This computer I'm using will fail before Voyager 1 will, my computer was designed to fail.

[@nirbija]

Because 'prime numbers' are indeed a human invention, this does not mean that other conscious beings/minds cannot 'conform' to it. Can humans not communicate successfully with dogs and other lowly animals, even though the minds are at different levels of development? In fact, the more developed the mind, the more able is it to 'conform' to the workings of lesser minds.

[@rzorNvme]

How is that thing not breaking apart. How fast is it going? Wow I never new NASA sent this type of machine to outer space. I wonder how far it will be wen I'm 50

[@cruxader27]

for 35 years they haven't reached a distance of a light year?! how is the exploration of other planets whereas they are tens and thousands of light years away...

[@katamishi]

There is no such thing as a final frontier. GO VGER!

[@MrGill85]

How does Voyager 1 maintain its power?

[@celica825]

Voyager 1 is a badass.

[@MaxRoaldEckardt]

If that doesn't happen however, I will double my efforts to open the console for setting godmode=1

[@thebigJ1er]

If only the 'OYA' hadn't gotten so dirty....

[@Hangar18man]

i think voyager 1 will hit interstellar space in between december 2012-feb 2013

[@ROBINSONMARTE]

Los datos enviados por la Voyager 1 indican cómo el borde del sistema solar es alcanzado por la radiación que viene de la galaxia y esa radiación contiene rayos cósmicos: protónes y núcleos de helio acelerados a casi la velocidad de la luz; estos rayos son desviados por la heliosfera, su campo magnético, que protege al Sistema Solar de ellos, o sea, que la heliosfera es un "ambiente energético"; que el Sistema Solar está inmerso ¡dentro de un ambiente energizado muy importante e intenso!,

[@berndpfe]

The notable increase of highenergetic particles may also have the potential to destroy the probes in future time. First, the electrical functionality will going to be lost when semiconductors, and the solar panels are getting increasingly perforated and macroscopically 'smashed'. This is really going on like a 'microparticle sanding' of every material inside and outside of the vehicle, which slowly erodes material. Maybe it is the final fate of getting 'eaten up' out there by cosmic particles.

[@Obi-WanKannabis]

That would be amazing, it would mean we could exploit the bugged universe for our advantage

[@VinceMiniscalco]

How long will we be able to keep communications with voyager 1/2?

[@kingcouch23]

very well actually thanks for asking :D

[@Koroistro]

Well , it takes "only" 16 hours for light to travel 18 billions kilometers , so probably it's not.

[@Droogie128]

Actually, that was Voyager 6 :P

[@VHJGaming]

As long as it doesn't come back to find the creator. (V-Ger)

[@GrandmasterBBC]

Sign indeed. We had better stick to our solar system for the near future. Humanity needs to experiment on some newer concepts and see how they do. All I can think is "Get your ass to Mars!" This vacation is killing me.

[@angiemcbride4171]

Kirk unit. The creator must merge with V-JER!

[@Ianitgoinghome]

Walrus maybe too expensive, with todays budget we would only be able to get a crew of 12 chickens to operate a space vessel, they would then open up a chicken operated mars base testing the walrus on a computer.

[@markhower8986]

I'm going to name my band Magnetic Bubble ~: )

[@natethehuman]

I think they should send a walrus to Mars to test the theory of gravity.

[@Jolielegal]

Nice!!!

[@MrLucascanuto]

Around 17 hours.

[@ParaglidingManiac]

How come Voyager has energy to transmit data?

[@kylephantom4]

what if ufos find them? isnt there like these directions to earth inside the satelite for them to find us?

[@knucklebuster1964]

When will it make it to boldigo?

[@chrispycritter2]

Does V-1 have cameras on it?

[@oattoking]

Oh my Gods!

[@CarsMutley1995]

Apparently, it has enough energy to keep transmitting until 2025. Sad really.

[@rangeclerk]

Voyager 1: First 2 reach the edge of our solar system & began its ~6.5 Billion yr life in the Milky Way Galaxy: how about the 1st two missions 2 the "Jovian Gas Giants"; Pioneer 1 & 2; they should not be left out of the discussions. Also, Voyager 2; those 3 will also be travelling into the Instellar Frontier; & 'course racing like a 'Mad-Space Dog' is 'Express' heading to take some pics & data of the PLANET Pluto! Then it 2 will cruise into the Galaxy--Lucky them; wish we humans good go as well!

[@m4ilm4n]

Radioisotope thermoelectric generators.

[@thunderfox53]

Yes but even a nuclear reactor needs power, and anyway its not like nuclear radiation is anything new to the Cosmos.

[@fernuy]

but, will it blend?

[@rangeclerk]

Creating a 'LightSail' can be done, but unlike STAR TREK the velocity takes a very very long time to 'build-up'; & would not reach anything like the ST esp. did or any ST show did as fast as anything on ST. There is nothing in Einstein's Equations that says; 'Humans cannot go at a % of 'c''' we just can never go at velocity 'c'. A % of 'c', ~50% of 'c' is when the space/time effect (you would not notice it; your aging would be 'slower' than someone your 'same age' back on Earth) "Starts".

[@bbanksy1]

Next...the Kuiper Belf then the Ort Cloud. Another 15 years give or take and it will be in a neighboring Solar System....Alpha Centauri A + B perhaps?

[@PalmTrall]

Anyone know how many miles 18 billion kilometers is?

[@AlexandreBaratta]

something about 11.2 billion miles.

[@Raynor9X9]

Space...the final frontier...

[@AbsurdAsparagus]

we know exactly were it is its not that hard to track its path

[@Dyslexic-Artist-Theory-on-Time]

neat!

[@eaglesnebula]

Think beyond the titles of values, prime numbers are not "human invention"

[@valkiris]

11.25 billion miles