8
$\begingroup$

Consider the following video (taken from here):

Voyager approach to Jupiter

To me it looks like Voyager 1 will crash into Jupiter. Obviously Voyager 1 didn't crash into Jupiter, but at a glance it looks like it will.

What exactly is happening in that video/animation? How did it avoid crashing? I'm assuming the spacecraft didn't have enough fuel to perform a burn to insert itself into orbit, but maybe it executed a burn to slingshot around it?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ @Ruslan nice edit! $\endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Commented Aug 13, 2018 at 16:05

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
12
$\begingroup$

Voyager was continually pointing its camera towards Jupiter, while passing alongside it, with its closest approach being 349,000 km. With no visible fixed references behind the planet, it's not obvious that the camera direction is changing during the approach.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
2

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.