Banshoreki main entrance ＞ Observatory ＞ Voyager
VOYAGERVoyager
The real trajectories of the two probes that left Earth in 1977 (NASA/JPL Horizons tracking data). Where they are now, where they were at any date, and a fast-forward from launch. The paths are records, not our calculation; the planet positions are this site's own.
Rough edges of the solar system. The heliopause is where the solar wind is stopped by interstellar matter; Voyager 1 crossed it in August 2012 at 121 AU and Voyager 2 in November 2018 at 119 AU (NASA). The Sun's gravitational reach (the Oort cloud) extends a thousand times farther.
The solar system seen from above (ecliptic plane), Sun at the centre, vernal equinox to the right. Lines run from launch to the chosen moment. Planet orbits are faint circles; positions are computed for that moment. “Auto” widens the true-scale view so the farthest probe stays in frame, so the solar system shrinks as you fast-forward.
Closest approaches to the planets (from the records)
Trajectories: NASA/JPL Horizons System (Voyager_1_ST+refit2022_m, Voyager_2_ST+refit2022_m; heliocentric vectors, 1977–2100). Tabulated every 2 days (to 1990) and 20 days (after), finer right after launch and around the flybys. Read with 8-point interpolation and rotated from the J2000 ecliptic to the ecliptic of date, the same frame as the planets. Closest-approach times and distances use the planet centres from Horizons too (Jupiter and Saturn agree with published values within 1,000 km; Uranus and Neptune differ by a few thousand km and a few minutes, because the planetary ephemerides of the era differ from today's; we show today's records as they are). Planet positions in the drawing come from Astronomy Engine (arc-minute accuracy), so flyby scenes are approximate. Voyager 1 crossed the heliopause in August 2012 and Voyager 2 in November 2018 (NASA).