THE NEXT GOLDEN RECORD

What message would you send to interstellar space?

The Golden Records were two gold-plated disks aboard the Voyager probes (1977), which were designed to abandon the solar system to travel into interspace. These records carried photos and audios that were deemed representative of Earth and humankind as a message for future civilizations (even extraterrestrial).

The challenge will be to propose which audio, photos or videos the next Golden Record should contain and why.

The Challenge

The Golden Records were two gold-plated disks aboard the Voyager probes (1977), whose objective was the study of the planets in the outer solar system and were designed to afterwards abandon the solar system to travel into interspace. These records carried photos and audios that were deemed representative of Earth and humankind as a message for future civilizations (even extraterrestrial).Your challenge is to propose which material (audio, photo, or video) a similar message should contain if sent today and justify the parameters or metrics used for the proposed material.

Background

In 1977, NASA launched the Voyager probes to study the planets in the outer solar system. The probes were equipped with two gold-plated disks known as the Golden Records. These records were designed to be a message for future civilizations, even extraterrestrial ones, and carried photos and audios that were deemed representative of Earth and humankind. The Golden Records were intended to be a message from humanity to any extraterrestrial civilization that might find the probes in the distant future.

Objective

Propose which material (audio, photo, or video) a similar message should contain if sent today and justify the parameters or metrics used for the proposed material.
‍
Potential Considerations
‍
 As you develop your solution, you may (but are not required to) consider the following:

  • The longevity of the message: Since the message is intended to be a message for the distant future, it is essential to consider the longevity of the message. The Golden Records were made of gold-plated copper, which is expected to last for at least 1,000 years. Similarly, a message sent today should be made of a durable material that can withstand the harsh conditions of space.
  • The universality of the message: The Golden Records were designed to be understandable by any civilization, regardless of their technological or cultural background. A message sent today should also be designed to be universally understandable. This can be achieved by using simple and universal symbols, such as mathematical and physical constants, rather than natural languages.
  • The diversity of the message: The Golden Records were designed to be a representation of Earth and humankind. A message sent today should also be diverse and inclusive, representing the different cultures, societies, and habitats of Earth.

Resources

INTERESTING READING

  • The Zoologist’s Guide to the Galaxy, Dr. Arik Kershenbaum.
  • Taxi from Another Planet: Conversations with Drivers about Life in the Universe, Charles S. Cockell.
  • Contact, Carl Sagan.
Stay tuned!
Additional resources will be added soon

8 Teams joined!

Don't Miss out! Registration ends in
Days
Hours
Mins
Secs
Register Now