Sunday, April 25, 2010

Pop History Moment: Pioneer 10 Left Our Solar System

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The Pioneer 10 spacecraft passed the orbit of Pluto on this day in 1983, effectively making it the first ever man-made object to leave the solar system, although it has yet to pass the heliopause or the Oort cloud.

The craft was launched in March 1972 and was last heard from in January 2003; it's currently headed for the star Aldebaran in the constellation Taurus.
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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wonder, in today's hyper-Christian environment if images of a naked man and woman would have made it through Nasa's bureacracy. A deep shudder tells me no.

Good thing some scientific progress was made before the Christian Taliban came into power.

michael sean morris said...

It seems funny to think of the Nixon Administration as "the good old days" doesn't it?

I suppose they could always recall it for a retrofit; it is only 2.5 billion miles away.

Otherwise, what an intemperate comment, Mr. Gagne. I think it's time you got a weekend away from your theocracy, so you won't be such a Mr. Cranky-pants.

lcdseattle said...

They only way he's leaving the theocratic nation to your south would be a trip up north, for which he is sadly overdue for. You Canadians bring out the best in him and for that you have this nation's gratitude. Keep up the great work.

michael sean morris said...

Yes, well that's what I meant. Actually.