Last chance for Australians to send message to the universe on Voyager project’s 50th anniversary
Australians have an opportunity to record new messages to the universe in celebration of the Voyager project's 50th anniversary, building on the Golden Record's legacy.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Voyager project, Australians are invited to record messages to be sent into deep space, furthering the tradition set by the original Golden Record. The original Voyager spacecraft, launched in 1977, carries a Golden Record with information to communicate the story of humanity to any extraterrestrial beings. This record features greetings in 55 languages, a pulsar map of our solar system, and various music samples, including contributions from the Yolngu people of Arnhem Land.
With Voyager currently over 20 billion kilometers from Earth and traveling at more than 50,000 km/h, the project invites Australians to reflect on what they believe should be remembered about Earth and humanity's journey. So far, more than 1,700 individuals have participated, sharing their thoughts and messages that encapsulate the essence of human existence and culture within a broader cosmic context. This public engagement not only honors the legacy of the Voyager missions but also prompts a collective contemplation about our place in the universe.
As the deadline approaches for submissions, the initiative serves as a poignant reminder of our shared humanity and the desire to reach out across the cosmos. It encapsulates the spirit of exploration and the fundamental questions of human presence and legacy in an ever-expanding universe. This event could provide a lasting record of human sentiment as we look beyond the stars and ponder our potential connections with other life forms.