A New Signal Arrived from the Voyager Spacecraft

Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft had embarked on an irreversible journey on humanity’s journey to explore space. On its journey that began in 1977, Voyager continues to send signals to our planet. These signals have now been discovered by a radio telescope.

since 2007 Allen Telescope Array (ATA – Allen Telescope Array) It collects astronomical data and looks for signs to find traces of extraterrestrial life in space. Earlier this year, ATA detected a 15-minute data stream from the Voyager I vehicle.

Message from 23 billion kilometers away

There is no explanation about the data contained in the signal. NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN) The vehicle using the system sends 160 bits of data per second. The vehicle, which is currently 23.3 billion kilometers from Earth, is currently heliosphere He makes measurements outside (the sphere made up of particles emitted by the Sun and reaches Pluto).

The radio telescope, which succeeded in capturing the data, is formed by the array of satellite antennas with a radius of 6 meters. co-founder of Microsoft Paul Allen and co-founder of Qualcomm Franklin AntonioFounded with the support of ATA, ATA was developed in partnership with the SETI Institute and the UC Berkeley Radio Astronomy Laboratory (RAL).

full antenna array 42 pieces Although this structure with antenna has less sensitivity than single large antennas, it is much more affordable in terms of cost. The lack of sensitivity is eliminated by using antennas in combination. 20 antennas worked together to capture the signal from Voyager I.

Voyager, which started its journey in 1977, now has to use its power very sparingly, and scientists say that the satellite will complete its life in 2025. Until now Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and the vehicle, which carries information by passing around many moons, also carries information about the world on it.