Golden Record

Golden Record. The Golden Records are two identical phonograph records launched into interstellar space aboard the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft in 1977. Conceived as a time capsule for humanity, they contain sounds, music, and images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth. The project was overseen by a committee chaired by the renowned astronomer Carl Sagan and managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Overview

The primary purpose of the records is to communicate a story of our world to any extraterrestrial intelligence that might encounter the Voyager program spacecraft. The records serve as a symbolic message of goodwill from the people of Earth, intended to last for billions of years as the probes travel through the Milky Way. Each record is encased in a protective aluminum jacket, adorned with symbolic instructions for playback and a sample of the isotope uranium-238 to allow dating. The concept builds upon earlier message-bearing missions like the Pioneer plaque attached to Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11.

Contents

The contents are a carefully curated multimedia anthology. The audio section includes natural sounds like those of thunder, wind, and animal calls such as the song of a humpback whale. A diverse musical selection features works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Chuck Berry, and traditional pieces from Peru, Senegal, and Azerbaijan. Spoken greetings in fifty-five languages range from ancient Akkadian to modern English. The visual portion, encoded in analog form, contains 115 images and diagrams depicting mathematical and physical concepts, human anatomy, scenes from daily life, and landmarks like the Great Wall of China and the Sydney Opera House.

Creation and selection process

The creation was directed by a committee at Cornell University under the leadership of Carl Sagan. Key contributors included creative director Ann Druyan, science writer Timothy Ferris who produced the musical selections, artist Jon Lomberg who assembled the images, and astronomer Frank Drake who formulated the iconic Arecibo message. The selection process involved extensive consultation with experts from institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and the Library of Congress. Controversies arose, such as the debate over including a recording of "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles, which was ultimately omitted due to licensing issues, and the decision to feature a photograph of a nude human couple.

Technical specifications

Each record is a 12-inch gold-plated copper disk, with the audio information stored in analog format. The cover includes etched symbols providing a diagram of the hydrogen atom as a fundamental clock, a map locating Earth relative to 14 pulsars, and a schematic for playback using the cartridge and stylus included. The record is designed to be played at 16⅔ revolutions per minute. The images are encoded as a television video signal, with instructions for reconstruction derived from the first video frame. The entire artifact is designed to withstand the extreme conditions of space for over a billion years.

Cultural impact and legacy

The Golden Records have become a profound cultural icon, symbolizing human curiosity and hope. They have inspired numerous works of art, literature, and music, including compositions by the Berlin Philharmonic and references in films like *Star Trek: The Motion Picture*. The project is frequently cited in discussions of astrobiology and the Search for extraterrestrial intelligence. The records continue their journey, with Voyager 1 having entered interstellar space in 2012, carrying this snapshot of Earth beyond the influence of the Sun. They stand as a unique and enduring testament to the civilization of the late 20th century.

Category:Voyager program Category:1977 in music Category:Time capsules Category:Interstellar messages