NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft visited Uranus (left) in 1986 and Neptune (right) in 1989.
NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft visited Uranus (left) in 1986 and Neptune (right) in 1989.
NASA/JPL-Caltech
Voyager 2 launched on August 20, 1977. Retrace the steps of its journey across our solar system through some of its most iconic images.
Voyager 2 launched on August 20, 1977. Retrace the steps of its journey across our solar system through some of its most iconic images.
JPL-Caltech/NASA
Voyager 2's view of Jupiter during the spacecraft's approach.
Voyager 2's view of Jupiter during the spacecraft's approach.
JPL-Caltech/NASA/DVIDS
Voyager 2 provided this image of Jupiter's red spot.<br />
Voyager 2 provided this image of Jupiter's red spot.
MPI/Getty Images
The hemisphere of Ganymede that faces away from the Sun displays a great variety of terrain in this mosaic from NASA's Voyager 2.
The hemisphere of Ganymede that faces away from the Sun displays a great variety of terrain in this mosaic from NASA's Voyager 2.
JPL/NASA
A mosaic of Europa, Jupiter's smallest moon, shows bright areas, likely ice deposits, and darker areas that may be the rocky surface or areas with a more patchy distribution of ice. The most unusual features are systems of long linear structures that cross the surface in various directions, some of which are more than 1,000 kilometers long and about 2 or 3 kilometers wide.
Images from Voyager 2 —
A mosaic of Europa, Jupiter's smallest moon, shows bright areas, likely ice deposits, and darker areas that may be the rocky surface or areas with a more patchy distribution of ice. The most unusual features are systems of long linear structures that cross the surface in various directions, some of which are more than 1,000 kilometers long and about 2 or 3 kilometers wide.
JPL-Caltech/NASA
This August 1998 NASA file image shows a true color photo of Saturn assembled from Voyager 2 photos.
Images from Voyager 2 —
This August 1998 NASA file image shows a true color photo of Saturn assembled from Voyager 2 photos.
NASA/HO/AFP/Getty Images
An enhanced color image of Saturn's rings, as seen by Voyager 2.
Images from Voyager 2 —
An enhanced color image of Saturn's rings, as seen by Voyager 2.
Space Frontiers/Hulton Archive/Getty Image
This image of Saturn's moon Enceladus shows impact craters up to 22 miles in diameter, as well as smooth uncratered areas.
Images from Voyager 2 —
This image of Saturn's moon Enceladus shows impact craters up to 22 miles in diameter, as well as smooth uncratered areas.
JPL-Caltech/NASA
A false color view of Uranus made from images taken by Voyager 2.
Images from Voyager 2 —
A false color view of Uranus made from images taken by Voyager 2.
AFP/Getty Images
A computer enhancement of a Voyager 2 image emphasizes the high-level haze in Uranus' upper atmosphere. Clouds are obscured by the overlying atmosphere.
Images from Voyager 2 —
A computer enhancement of a Voyager 2 image emphasizes the high-level haze in Uranus' upper atmosphere. Clouds are obscured by the overlying atmosphere.
JPL-Caltech/NASA
Uranus' rings, photographed by Voyager 2 as it approached the plane of the Uranian ring system.
Images from Voyager 2 —
Uranus' rings, photographed by Voyager 2 as it approached the plane of the Uranian ring system.
JPL-Caltech/NASA
Oberon, Uranus' outermost moon, shows several impact craters on the moon's icy surface.
Images from Voyager 2 —
Oberon, Uranus' outermost moon, shows several impact craters on the moon's icy surface.
JPL-Caltech/NASA
Miranda is the the eleventh known satellite of Uranus. The moon was essential in the Voyager mission in that it provided a gravity assist to propel the craft on toward Neptune.
Miranda is the the eleventh known satellite of Uranus. The moon was essential in the Voyager mission in that it provided a gravity assist to propel the craft on toward Neptune.
JPL-Caltech/NASA
Uranus' moon Titania shows a crater-pocked surface as well as prominent fault valleys that stretch across the moon.
Images from Voyager 2 —
Uranus' moon Titania shows a crater-pocked surface as well as prominent fault valleys that stretch across the moon.
JPL-Caltech/NASA
Distinct bright patches are visible on Ariel, the brightest of Uranus' five largest satellites.
Images from Voyager 2 —
Distinct bright patches are visible on Ariel, the brightest of Uranus' five largest satellites.
JPL-Caltech/NASA
Ariel, another of Uranus' satellite's, shows a densely pitted surface that is also crisscrossed with numerous valleys and fault scarps.
Images from Voyager 2 —
Ariel, another of Uranus' satellite's, shows a densely pitted surface that is also crisscrossed with numerous valleys and fault scarps.
JPL-Caltech/NASA
This stunning portrait of Neptune was taken by Voyager 2 before closest approach on August 25, 1989. The "Great Dark Spot" - a storm in Neptune's atmosphere - can be seen in the middle of the image.
This stunning portrait of Neptune was taken by Voyager 2 before closest approach on August 25, 1989. The "Great Dark Spot" - a storm in Neptune's atmosphere - can be seen in the middle of the image.
NASA/JPL
This image of Neptune's outermost ring shows how material clumps into three arcs.
Images from Voyager 2 —
This image of Neptune's outermost ring shows how material clumps into three arcs.
JPL-Caltech/NASA
Neptune's largest moon, Triton, surprised scientists with its active surface. Methane ice, shown with a pink tone, may comprise a massive polar cap on the moon's surface. The dark swaths over the ice are likely dust that land from plumes erupting on the surface.
Neptune's largest moon, Triton, surprised scientists with its active surface. Methane ice, shown with a pink tone, may comprise a massive polar cap on the moon's surface. The dark swaths over the ice are likely dust that land from plumes erupting on the surface.
NASA/JPL
A last look at Neptune's south pole after the flyby.
A last look at Neptune's south pole after the flyby.
NASA/JPL