NASA is inviting people worldwide to celebrate a monumental achievement as its pioneering Voyager 1 spacecraft reaches a distance of one light-day from Earth on November 18th. This landmark signifies the incredible journey of humanity’s most distant emissary, a testament to decades of scientific exploration and technological prowess. The public can engage in a global ‘light-up’ event and join a special online discussion to mark this occasion.
Shine a Light for Voyager
To commemorate Voyager 1’s incredible distance – over 16 billion miles (25.9 billion kilometers) – NASA is encouraging everyone to participate in a symbolic ‘Shine Bright for Voyager’s Light-Day’ event on Tuesday, November 17th. After sunset, individuals are invited to create a wave of golden light encircling the planet. A dedicated website (go.nasa.gov/shinebright) allows smartphones and tablets to flash ‘VGR,’ Voyager’s Morse code call sign. Participants are encouraged to share photos and videos of their light signals on social media, tagging @NASA.
A Deep Dive into the Interstellar Frontier
On Thursday, November 19th, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) will host a special online event featuring key mission personnel and leadership. This discussion will provide insights into the current status of both Voyager 1 and its twin, Voyager 2, highlighting the groundbreaking science they continue to gather from interstellar space. Attendees will learn about the unique challenges of maintaining communication and operations with spacecraft operating across such immense distances. The event will also offer a sneak peek at an upcoming NASA+ documentary celebrating the Voyager mission, slated for release in 2027 to mark its 50th anniversary.
The discussion will include:
- Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate
- Jonathan Lunine, chief scientist, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and professor of planetary science, Caltech
- Suzanne Dodd, Voyager project manager, NASA JPL
- Kareem Badaruddin, Voyager mission manager, NASA JPL
- Jamie Rankin, Voyager deputy project scientist, Princeton University
The event will be streamed live, with details available at nasa.gov/live. Media interested in attending in person or virtually should follow RSVP instructions provided by NASA JPL.
Source: NASA
