The Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft are currently in interstellar space, venturing billions of miles from Earth and continuing their historic journeys beyond our solar system's heliosphere.
Current Locations of Voyager 1 and 2
Both probes are the farthest human-made objects from Earth, traveling in different directions through the vastness between stars. Their precise locations are constantly changing as they move farther away, but their current approximate distances are regularly tracked.
Voyager 2's Position
Voyager 2 is approximately 12.8 billion miles (about 20.6 billion kilometers) from Earth. To put this immense distance into perspective, it is roughly 138 times farther away from us than our planet is from the Sun. Voyager 2 officially entered interstellar space in November 2018, becoming the second spacecraft to do so.
Voyager 1's Position
Voyager 1 is even farther out than its twin. As of recent data, it is approximately 16.2 billion miles (about 26 billion kilometers) from Earth. Voyager 1 crossed into interstellar space in August 2012, making it the first human-made object to reach this cosmic frontier.
The table below summarizes their approximate current locations and status:
| Spacecraft | Approximate Distance from Earth | Status | Direction of Travel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voyager 1 | 16.2 billion miles (26 billion km) | In Interstellar Space | Northward relative to the ecliptic |
| Voyager 2 | 12.8 billion miles (20.6 billion km) | In Interstellar Space | Southward relative to the ecliptic |
It's important to note that these distances are not static; the probes are continuously moving away from Earth at high speeds.
Journey Beyond Our Solar System
The Voyagers' primary mission was to explore the outer planets, but they have far exceeded their initial goals. Their current positions in interstellar space mark a monumental achievement in space exploration.
What is Interstellar Space?
Interstellar space is the region between star systems, beyond the influence of our Sun's protective bubble, known as the heliosphere. This boundary, called the heliopause, is where the solar wind (a stream of charged particles from the Sun) gives way to the interstellar medium (the material between stars). Both Voyagers are now sending back data about this previously unexplored environment.
Different Directions of Travel
While both probes are in interstellar space, they are heading in distinctly different directions relative to the plane of our solar system. This allows them to collect unique data from different regions of the interstellar medium, providing a more comprehensive understanding of our galaxy's neighborhood.
For the latest updates on the Voyagers' positions and missions, you can visit NASA's official Voyager website.
