As several decades have passed since the historic launch of Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 in 1977, humanity reflects on the enduring impact of these spacecraft and their unique contribution to the cosmic narrative—the Voyager Golden Records.
While the primary mission of the Voyager spacecraft was scientific exploration, the Golden Records added a touch of humanity’s deeper aspirations. Carl Sagan, instrumental in selecting the record’s content, described the spacecraft as a hopeful “bottle” launched into the cosmic “ocean” for potential encounters with advanced space-faring civilizations.
The Golden Records, containing sounds and images representing life on Earth, showcased humanity’s curiosity, openness to understanding other intelligences, and the desire for unity. The records, now journeying in interstellar space with the Voyager spacecraft, serve as a poetic verse amidst the scientific endeavors.
Decades later, a team of researchers led by Jonathan Jiang from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory contemplates the idea of a new “Message in a Bottle” (MIAB) for future cosmic companions. In an article published in AGU Earth and Space Science, they explore the objectives and key content of this updated message, acknowledging the need for a universal understanding of human society, Earth’s evolution, and our collective hopes and concerns.
The authors propose a two-part message: a scroll featuring simple images for less advanced recipients and a small minicomputer containing vast digital information for more advanced recipients. The challenge lies in considering the symbolism and semiotics that might make sense to extraterrestrial intelligences, acknowledging that we cannot predict the nature of our cosmic audience.
To guide the creation of the new Golden Records, the authors suggest three organizing ideas: explaining the origin of the record, identifying the senders (humans), and providing a detailed overview of human nature. They envision a comprehensive portrayal of Earth’s history, including triumphs and challenges, scientific achievements, cultural diversity, and examples of human aspirations for the future.
Recognizing the uncertainty of the future, the MIAB serves not only as a potential message to extraterrestrial beings but also as a unifying force for current and future generations of humanity. By reaching for the future and contemplating our place in the cosmos, projects like the new Golden Records contribute to our shared human experience and inspire a collective celebration and safeguarding of our journey through time and space.
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