Extreme and far ultraviolet astronomy from Voyagers 1 and 2

The instrumental characteristics, observational capabilities and scientific results of the Voyager 1 and 2 ultraviolet spectrometers are reviewed. These instruments provide current and ongoing access to low resolution spectra for a wide variety of astronomical sources in the 500 to 1700 A band. Observations of the brightest OB stars and hot subluminous stars as faint as V = 15 mag, are possible. In the EUV, at wavelengths shortward of 900 A, several new sources have been detected and a host of potential sources ruled out. In the far UV, particularly at wavelengths between 900 and 1200 A, Voyager is capable of observing a wide range of stellar and non-stellar sources. Such observations can often provide a valuable complement to IUE and other data sets at longer wavelengths. The Voyager spectrometers have proved remarkably stable photon counting instruments, capable of extremely long integration times. The long integration times, relatively large field of view, and location in the outer solar system also provide an ideal platform for observations of sources of faint diffuse emission, such as nebulae and the general sky background.