Going Beyond the Edge of Our Solar System

The Voyager mission, launched in 1977, aimed to study Jupiter and Saturn but was extended to explore Neptune, Uranus, and interstellar space. The probes, Voyager 1 and 2, have traveled billions of kilometers, providing unprecedented data. They discovered magnetic bubbles in the heliosheath and crossed into interstellar space, challenging existing models. Despite nearing the end of their power supply, the probes' legacy continues, carrying the Golden Record as a testament to human ingenuity.

What was the original mission duration planned for the Voyager probes?

• Two years

• Ten years

• Fifteen years

• Five years

Which planets were initially targeted by the Voyager mission?

• Mars and Venus

• Jupiter and Saturn

• Mercury and Pluto

• Neptune and Uranus

What key design feature helped the Voyager probes last longer than expected?

• Solar panels

• Wind turbines

• Radioisotope thermal electric generators

• Nuclear reactors

What was the significance of the planetary alignment during the Voyager launch?

• It allowed for a direct path to Mars

• It enabled gravity assists from multiple planets

• It provided a clear view of the Milky Way

• It reduced the mission cost significantly

What did the Voyager probes discover about the heliospheric current sheet?

• It is a smooth boundary

• It is a solid structure

• It is unaffected by solar winds

• It forms magnetic bubbles

What was unexpected about the magnetic field readings when Voyager 1 entered interstellar space?

• The magnetic field was weaker than expected

• The magnetic field was stronger than expected

• The magnetic field was non-existent

• There was no change in the magnetic field

At what distance from the Sun did both Voyager probes cross the heliopause?

• 150 astronomical units

• 60 astronomical units

• 120 astronomical units

• 90 astronomical units

What is the significance of the Golden Record on the Voyager probes?

• It contains scientific data

• It is a time capsule of Earth's culture

• It powers the probes

• It is a navigation tool

How long will it take for Voyager 1 to reach the Oort Cloud?

• 30,000 years

• 300 years

• 1,000 years

• 10,000 years

Which star will Voyager 2 pass closest to in the future?

• Proxima Centauri

• Alpha Centauri

• Betelgeuse

• Ross 248