Voyager 1
The Voyager 1 mission was part of the NASA grand tour of the
solar system. It was launched on September 5th 1977, 16 days after
its twin Voyager 2. Their missions were to explore the distant parts of the
solar system.
Voyager 1 flew past the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn and
sent back incredible images and information that scientists are still studying
today. Amongst the many discoveries made by Voyager 1 was that the moon Io had
active volcanoes, it was the first object other than the Earth for this to be seen happening. Io was one of the moons that was discovered by Galileo in the winter
of 1609/10.
When the probe flew past Saturn and sent back incredible
images if the ring system it also examined Titan the largest moon of Saturn.
Although it was not possible to see the surface of Titan due to the thick
atmosphere there was an indication that there was liquid on the surface. The Cassini
mission has indeed conformed that there is liquid on Titan, not water of course
but methane.
Voyager 1 then continued on its mission flying to the edge
of the solar system and in 2012 scientists confirmed that Voyager 1 was at the
very edge of the solar system. It is expected that Voyager 1 will continue working until about 2025.
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