Thirty-five years ago this week, Voyager 1 was launched. Its mission—along with its sister craft, Voyager 2 (which, interestingly enough, was launched two weeks earlier)—was to explore the outer reaches of our solar system and the beginnings of interstellar space. Aboard each craft was a gold-plated audio disc containing sounds, images and messages from Earth, on the off-chance either was ever found by intelligent life from outside the Solar System.
In 1979 and 1980, Voyager 1 visited Jupiter and Saturn, respectively. While there, the craft provided the first high-resolution pictures and conducted other studies of the two planets and their respective satellites. This resulted in the first views of Jupiter’s ring system, discovery of volcanic activity on the moon Io, the first close analysis of the atmosphere of Titan, and detection of complex structures in Saturn’s rings. Article Continues…
We’re well into May now, which means we’re at the height of Spring. Days are considerably longer, flowers are blooming, and that whack-a-doodle robin that’s been attacking my bedroom window every morning for the past month has built a nest on the deck railing next to my front door instead. Of course, it’s also time to remember Mom and all that she’s done for us.
It’s that time of year again, where traditionalists head out into the freezing cold (or the blistering heat for those in the southern hemisphere) in search of the perfect gifts for loved ones.