Voyager 1 Reaches Interstellar Space 565

Posted by timothy on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @04:51PM from the send-more-satellites dept.

letxa2000 writes "CNN is reporting that Voyager 1, now some 8.4 billion miles (90 AUs) from the sun, has left the solar system and entered interstellar space by reaching the heliopause. However, whether the probe has reached the heliopause or is just coming close is the subject of two papers to be published in Thursday's Nature Magazine. The probe supposedly has enough nuclear fuel to last until 2020. Will it be able to find anything interesting outside the solar system in the next 17 years?"

Voyager 1 Reaches Interstellar Space

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Agent Smith files for Chapter 11 (Score:5, Funny)

by KFury ( 19522 ) * writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @04:51PM (#7399957) Homepage

Do you guys have any idea how much RAM had to be added to the Matrix to extend the simulation out that far?!

Goodness... (Score:5, Funny)

by swordboy ( 472941 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @04:54PM (#7399985) Journal

They've gone to plaid.

So I guess... (Score:2, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @04:54PM (#7399988)

...it isn't going to reach the delta quadrant anytime soon?

Of course we know what it will find (Score:3, Funny)

by sielwolf ( 246764 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @04:54PM (#7399995) Homepage Journal

Aliens too stupid to wipe off some space dirt to realize the dang thing isn't named VEEEGERRRR!

Re:26 years.... (Score:2, Funny)

by DJTodd242 ( 560481 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @04:56PM (#7400018) Homepage

Can only hope some day we catch up to Voyager. Either with a probe that could pass it up, or NCC-1701 :-)

More likely it'll be blown to smithereens by Klingons.

Heliopause (Score:4, Funny)

by mongoks ( 540017 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @04:56PM (#7400021)

Voyager 1 has reached heliopause and is now experiencing hot flashes and irritability. Hormone replacement therapy has proven innefective thus far.

Re:you never know... (Score:2, Funny)

by Polly_was_a_cracker ( 718522 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @04:56PM (#7400023) Homepage

Is it the same sound as one hand clapping?

Re:Agent Smith files for Chapter 11 (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @04:59PM (#7400049)

I work for Nasa and am therefore posting anonymously. While this was not done on purpose, it was by a sole astronaut, and not a decision by Nasa. That astronaut has since been let go.

Isn't it obvious? (Score:2, Funny)

by leerpm ( 570963 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @05:00PM (#7400071)

Voyager will find the long lost Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Rumsfeld will use this as an excuse to overhaul the space program! We all know the Iraqis have had a secret space program since 1950.

Voyager's Last Message: (Score:4, Funny)

by tjstork ( 137384 ) writes: <[todd.bandrowsky] [at] [gmail.com]> on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @05:01PM (#7400082) Homepage Journal

says: "Doh, Stupid comet!"

20 years from now, against all odds, the comet bashed ever so slightly by our irresponsibly launched space probe slams into Yellowstone super volcano.

That little probe has to be stopped before it bumps into something! Send someone out to get it before it's too late!

Re:Agent Smith files for Chapter 11 (Score:5, Funny)

by temojen ( 678985 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @05:01PM (#7400083) Journal

A sparse matrix takes up a lot less memory.

Re:Even if it does, will it be able to tell us? (Score:5, Funny)

by leerpm ( 570963 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @05:02PM (#7400096)

Yes, the US government has a secret message it uses to identify this point:

"Can you hear me now? .. Can you hear me now?"

To boldy go... (Score:3, Funny)

by MoeMoe ( 659154 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @05:07PM (#7400155)

Scientists have long theorized that a shock wave exists where the hot solar wind bumps up against the thin gas of the interstellar medium.

Picard: To boldy go where no ma-, hang on Number 1, speed bump!

Will: All hands embrace for impact...

THUMP!

Picard: Data, inform engineering that we need better suspension on this thing...

Re:26 years.... (Score:2, Funny)

by pyros ( 61399 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @05:09PM (#7400187) Journal

don't you mean it will swallow up one of their war ships?

thud (Score:2, Funny)

by lecca ( 84194 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @05:09PM (#7400191) Homepage

"The probe supposedly has enough nuclear fuel to last until 2020. Will it be able to find anything interesting outside the solar system in the next 17 years?"

If it goes much further, I bet it hits the screen.

Re:Agent Smith files for Chapter 11 (Score:2, Funny)

by calethix ( 537786 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @05:10PM (#7400201) Homepage

Come on now, let's all try to keep our movie jokes in this thread related to ST:TMP. ;)

Re:12.5 Hours (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @05:12PM (#7400236)

When you consider the galaxy is 100,000 light years across ...

How many elefants would that be?

Re:Warning, Spoiler! (Score:3, Funny)

by Bendebecker ( 633126 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @05:14PM (#7400257) Journal

They'll have to do it without Bones. He's dead, Jim!

Re:Agent Smith files for Chapter 11 (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @05:14PM (#7400259)

I believed in Santa Clause until 24 seconds ago, you insensitive clod!

Voyager 1 Reaches Interstellar Space (Score:3, Funny)

by da3dAlus ( 20553 ) writes: <dustin...grau@@@gmail...com> on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @05:16PM (#7400284) Homepage Journal

First Broadcast: "My god, it's full of stars!"

Maybe now we'll find out how accurate that Starfield Simulation screensaver really is!

Speed of Sound in Space (Score:4, Funny)

by Rasta Prefect ( 250915 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @05:19PM (#7400335)

In space, the violent encounter slows the solar wind from supersonic velocity to subsonic speed, and causes a pileup of particles.

Last time I checked the speed of sound in space was essentially zero...

What if.... (Score:4, Funny)

by jgacad ( 705298 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @05:22PM (#7400372) Journal

the aliens that find voyager only have CD players? How will they play the record that strapped to the craft?

Re:Agent Smith files for Chapter 11 (Score:3, Funny)

by NanoGator ( 522640 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @05:22PM (#7400380) Homepage Journal

"Do you guys have any idea how much RAM had to be added to the Matrix to extend the simulation out that far?!"

The machines just wanted to show off their new Matrix FX card.

Re:Goodness... (Score:5, Funny)

by NanoGator ( 522640 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @05:25PM (#7400404) Homepage Journal

"Offtopic? Who the hell modded that off topic??? - Gone to plaid is a reference to ludricous speed taken from spaceballs."

I'm surrounded by assholes!

Re:Agent Smith files for Chapter 11 (Score:2, Funny)

by shawn(at)fsu ( 447153 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @05:28PM (#7400427) Homepage

Oh man for a second I thought you said the Tooth Fairy didn't exist, I was scared for a second...

Re:Agent Smith files for Chapter 11 (Score:5, Funny)

by KFury ( 19522 ) * writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @05:28PM (#7400429) Homepage

"A sparse matrix takes up a lot less memory."

A sparse matrix also makes a lot less money. Just ask theaters next week when the poor reviews outweigh the sequel buzz.

Re:To boldy go... (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @05:41PM (#7400565)

Will: All hands embrace for impact...
So, the whole crew hugs each other in affection during impacts?

Re:Voyager ~12 Light Hours away (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @05:42PM (#7400583)

alien@mothership:~$ ping vger
PING vger (1.253.123.0.175.36.9) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from vger (1.253.123.0.175.36.9): icmp_seq=1 ttl=0 time=31492800000 ms
64 bytes from vger (1.253.123.0.175.36.9): icmp_seq=2 ttl=0 time=31492799880 ms
64 bytes from vger (1.253.123.0.175.36.9): icmp_seq=3 ttl=0 time=31492799680 ms
64 bytes from vger (1.253.123.0.175.36.9): icmp_seq=4 ttl=0 time=31492799680 ms

--- vger ping statistics ---
4 packets transmitted, 4 received, 0% packet loss, time 31495800000ms

alien@mothership:~$ mail -s They're getting closer! phb@mothership.org
Cc:
Chief, they're closing on us!
.
alien@mothership:

17 years later.. (Score:3, Funny)

by Cassanova ( 578879 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @05:50PM (#7400699)

Voyager crash lands on this deep and remote planet..as each of its systems start to shutdown in turn, its external microphones pick up the voice of Charleston Heston, screaming in the distance "Take your paws off me you damn dirty ape!"....
[muffled horse hooves pounding on the ground]
Voyager 1 signing off. Goodbye earth...
;-)

Re:to paraphrase (Score:2, Funny)

by rritterson ( 588983 ) * writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @06:11PM (#7400914)

My theory: an alien astronaut has attached a jet to the spacecraft and is now stealing it for further study.

Re:to paraphrase (Score:1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @06:24PM (#7401044)

Or is towing it away for driving without a license.

Re:12.5 Hours (Score:4, Funny)

by Bingo Foo ( 179380 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @06:28PM (#7401091)

Pluto is in the parking lot,
I hope someone at least left the window rolled down for him [go.com].

Scientists Unsure? (Score:2, Funny)

by Macsimus ( 245076 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @06:43PM (#7401262)

Couldn't they just turn a camera toward the heliopause border and look for the "Now Leaving the Sol System" sign ... you know, like these:
National Park Service Entrance Signs [preservati...ectory.com]

Re:Even if it does, will it be able to tell us? (Score:3, Funny)

by Chicks_Hate_Me ( 528837 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @07:18PM (#7401697) Journal

ping -t voyager Duh!

Re:communicating? (Score:4, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @07:22PM (#7401750)

There's no friction in space.

Oh, yeah? _You_ try sharing a battered smuggler ship with a flea-bitten wookie, a hillbilly brother/sister couple, an Alzheimer's patient with a light saber, and two gay robots.

Re:to paraphrase - space sucks (Score:1, Funny)

by HermanZA ( 633358 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @08:03PM (#7402201)

Nothing strange about that small accelleration - space sucks...

Riiiiight. (Score:3, Funny)

by zCyl ( 14362 ) writes: on Wednesday November 05, 2003 @08:12PM (#7402292)

Simple concept, drop a nuclear bomb behind a craft, and ride the shock wave forward. Needs a pushing plate, shock absorbers, etc of a good magnitude, but the system can and does work.

Great idea. We'll build it, you get in the ship, and then after we detonate the bomb we'll design an atomic spatula to remove you from the rear end of the space ship.

Without manipulation of gravity, the fastest humans can possibly accelerate is a few times the acceleration of Earth's gravity. And to get to decent speeds with that kind of acceleration takes a very long sustained force. You would need a giant spring lightyears long which could somehow magically not shred itself or melt under the kind of stress you're describing. You'd have better luck designing the spatula.

Re:Even if it does, will it be able to tell us? (Score:4, Funny)

by gad_zuki! ( 70830 ) writes: on Thursday November 06, 2003 @08:06AM (#7405742)

>When will we lose our connection (if we haven't already)?

Its good until 2005 when the FCC Broadcast Flag rule makes recieving the signal illegal without a DRM upgrade.

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Agent Smith files for Chapter 11 (Score:5, Funny)

Goodness... (Score:5, Funny)

So I guess... (Score:2, Funny)

Of course we know what it will find (Score:3, Funny)

Re:26 years.... (Score:2, Funny)

Heliopause (Score:4, Funny)

Re:you never know... (Score:2, Funny)

Re:Agent Smith files for Chapter 11 (Score:1, Funny)

Isn't it obvious? (Score:2, Funny)

Voyager's Last Message: (Score:4, Funny)

Re:Agent Smith files for Chapter 11 (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Even if it does, will it be able to tell us? (Score:5, Funny)

To boldy go... (Score:3, Funny)

Re:26 years.... (Score:2, Funny)

thud (Score:2, Funny)

Re:Agent Smith files for Chapter 11 (Score:2, Funny)

Re:12.5 Hours (Score:1, Funny)

Re:Warning, Spoiler! (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Agent Smith files for Chapter 11 (Score:1, Funny)

Voyager 1 Reaches Interstellar Space (Score:3, Funny)

Speed of Sound in Space (Score:4, Funny)

What if.... (Score:4, Funny)

Re:Agent Smith files for Chapter 11 (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Goodness... (Score:5, Funny)

Re:Agent Smith files for Chapter 11 (Score:2, Funny)

Re:Agent Smith files for Chapter 11 (Score:5, Funny)

Re:To boldy go... (Score:1, Funny)

Re:Voyager ~12 Light Hours away (Score:1, Funny)

17 years later.. (Score:3, Funny)

Re:to paraphrase (Score:2, Funny)

Re:to paraphrase (Score:1, Funny)

Re:12.5 Hours (Score:4, Funny)

Scientists Unsure? (Score:2, Funny)

Re:Even if it does, will it be able to tell us? (Score:3, Funny)

Re:communicating? (Score:4, Funny)

Re:to paraphrase - space sucks (Score:1, Funny)

Riiiiight. (Score:3, Funny)

Re:Even if it does, will it be able to tell us? (Score:4, Funny)

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