Whispers across the cosmos: the Voyager Golden Record
Earth’s hits and visual wonders in a single, interstellar love letter to the cosmos.
Makliya Mamat / March 3, 2024
As I reflect on the Golden Record, I’m filled with a profound sense of awe and responsibility. Conceived by Carl Sagan and his dedicated team, the Golden Record embarked on a journey aboard the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft launched by NASA in 1977.
Comprising 115 images, a variety of natural sounds, musical selections from various cultures, and spoken greetings in 55 languages, it stands as a testament to the beauty and diversity of our existence.
When I think about the Golden Record hurtling through the vastness of space, now 24 billion km from Earth, carrying our collective story to unknown realms, I am reminded of the interconnectedness of all life on Earth. It’s not just a message to extraterrestrial beings; it’s a mirror reflecting back the best of who we are. It speaks of our aspirations, our struggles, and our capacity for wonder.
Here are some of the images on the Golden Record:
I am delighted to share that NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft will embark on a journey this October, carrying an inspirational message into the cosmos on its vault plate. the Drake Equation is etched onto the plate as well, which guided research in astrobiology and related fields ever since its development in 1961.
With cosmic joy and anticipation, congratulations to the Europa Clipper team for delivering this beautiful message.
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