What were the key findings of the Voyager space missions?

The Voyager space missions, specifically Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, were launched by NASA in 1977 with the primary objective of exploring the outer planets of our solar system. Here are some of the key findings of the Voyager space missions:

1. Jupiter: Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 both conducted flybys of Jupiter, providing detailed images and data about the planet and its moons. The missions discovered active volcanoes on Jupiter's moon Io, intricate cloud patterns on Jupiter itself, and a strong magnetic field.

2. Saturn: Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 also conducted flybys of Saturn, revealing its iconic rings in unprecedented detail. The missions discovered new moons, observed storms on Saturn, and provided valuable insights into the composition and structure of the planet and its rings.

3. Uranus: Voyager 2 became the first spacecraft to visit Uranus in 1986. The mission discovered ten new moons, observed a unique tilted magnetic field, and provided detailed images of the planet's atmosphere.

4. Neptune: Voyager 2 continued its journey to Neptune in 1989, becoming the first and only spacecraft to visit the planet. The mission discovered six new moons, observed the Great Dark Spot (a massive storm), and provided valuable data on Neptune's atmosphere and magnetic field.

5. Interstellar Space: After completing their primary missions, both Voyager spacecraft continued to travel beyond the outer planets and into interstellar space. Voyager 1 became the first human-made object to reach interstellar space in 2012, while Voyager 2 followed in 2018. These milestones provided valuable data on the boundary between our solar system and the rest of the galaxy.

Overall, the key findings of the Voyager space missions revolutionized our understanding of the outer planets, their moons, and the dynamics of our solar system. The missions provided stunning images, valuable data, and expanded our knowledge of the vastness and complexity of the universe.