The probe that once imaged Jupiter is still continuing its journey into outer space.
In November 1973: The American space probe Pioneer 10, approaching Jupiter, has already sent the first color images of this largest planet in the solar system.
Pioneer 10 is currently 12 million kilometers from Jupiter. In the images received on Earth, Jupiter is only four centimeters in diameter, but still the blue, green and yellow stripes on its surface stand out clearly.
“Jupiter is the most beautiful planet in our solar system,” said Charles Hall, head of the Jupiter research team.
“We are looking forward to seeing what kind of images Pioneer 10 will send when it gets closer to Jupiter.”
The US Space Administration published a compilation of images showing Jupiter in different sizes as the probe approached the giant planet.
Pioneer 10 will pass Jupiter at a distance of 125,000 kilometers in early December. After this, it continues its journey towards the outer planets and eventually flies outside the solar system.
Just in case the probe falls into the hands of intelligent beings some million years from now, a gold plate is attached to it. The drawings and patterns on the tile indicate where in the universe the probe was sent.