About Voyager 2 Spacecraft:
- It is a space probe launched by NASA on August 20, 1977.
- It is part of the Voyager program, which also includes Voyager 1.
- Primary mission: To study the outer planets of our solar system and their moons, and then continue on an interstellar mission.
- It is the second spacecraft to enter interstellar space. On Dec. 10, 2018, the spacecraft joined its twin—Voyager 1—as the only human-made objects to enter the space between the stars.
- It carries a Golden Record, a phonograph record containing sounds and images from Earth, intended to be a message to any potential extraterrestrial civilizations it might encounter in the future.
- Firsts:
- It is the only spacecraft to study all four of the solar system's giant planets at close range.
- It discovered a 14th moon at Jupiter.
- It was the first human-made object to fly past Uranus.
- At Uranus, Voyager 2 discovered 10 new moons and two new rings.
- It was the first human-made object to fly by Neptune.
- At Neptune, Voyager 2 discovered five moons, four rings, and a "Great Dark Spot."
What is the Interstellar Space?
- Interstellar space, also known as interstellar medium or interstellar void, is the vast expanse of space that exists between stars in a galaxy.
- It is the region of space beyond the influence of any individual star's gravity and magnetic fields.
- It is primarily composed of very low-density gas, dust, cosmic rays, and magnetic fields.
