• Question: Could a probe from earth ever leave our galaxy?

    Asked by Emma to Adrian, Gaia, Jim, Scott, Vicky on 10 Mar 2016.
    • Photo: Adrian Buzatu

      Adrian Buzatu answered on 10 Mar 2016:

      No, as it would need a large speed to be able to escape the gravity of the centre of the galaxy. But who knows, with future technology?

    • Photo: Gaia Andreoletti

      Gaia Andreoletti answered on 10 Mar 2016:

      Hi Emma,
      Maybe with time yes! It would be really interesting to see what happens to the probe!

    • Photo: Scott Lawrie

      Scott Lawrie answered on 10 Mar 2016:

      Unlikely. The furthest-away man-made thing is the Voyager 1 space probe. It was launched nearly 40 years ago and is only just leaving our solar system. It’s nowhere near even half way to the nearest star. In many thousands of years it might get somewhere near the edge of the galaxy, but we won’t be leaving the Milky Way any time soon. Space is big!

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