The New Yorker:
The Voyagers’ scientific mission will end when their plutonium-238 thermoelectric power generators fail, around the year 2030. After that, the two craft will drift endlessly among the stars of our galaxy—unless someone or something encounters them someday. With this prospect in mind, each was fitted with a copy of what has come to be called the Golden Record. Etched in copper, plated with gold, and sealed in aluminum cases, the records are expected to remain intelligible for more than a billion years, making them the longest-lasting objects ever crafted by human hands. We don’t know enough about extraterrestrial life, if it even exists, to state with any confidence whether the records will ever be found. They were a gift, proffered without hope of return.
A fascinating story about a remarkable project.
As the old joke goes a 4 word message was received proving intelligent extraterrestrial life in the universe–it said “Send more Chuck Berry”
Never understood the Mozart choice. So many better alternates.
Here we go. 😉
The crappy music that kids listen to these days! Never listen to anything after 1750.
LOL, Didn’t mean to come across as a Mozart snob, but maybe I am. There’s not question Mozart must be on the album, just not Queen of the Night—lest we want to terrify other intelligent life in the universe.
Queen of the Night (Florence Foster Jenkins)
I’d be inclined to select Mass In C Minor, K. 427, Kyrie, or Marriage of Figaro, K. 492, Overture.