Voyager Golden Records

Voyager Golden Records are audio and visual recordings placed by NASA on the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft in 1977. These records, each containing a knowledge disc, contain fundamental information about Earth and humanity, designed to enable communication should the spacecraft encounter other civilizations.

Each recording consists of a 30 cm diameter copper disc coated with gold and contains a variety of sounds, music and images representing Earth’s cultures and the diversity of human societies.

^【1】 

The protective cover of the Voyager Golden Records contains the following elements represented through symbols and graphics:

1. Playback Instructions: Instructions on how to play the record are given in binary code. The playback speed is specified as 16 2/3 rpm (16 2/3 revolutions per minute).
2. Hydrogen Atom Diagram: The fundamental energy state of the hydrogen atom (21 cm wavelength) is depicted to provide a universal reference for time.
3. Pulsar Map: A diagram showing the positions and frequencies of 14 pulsars within the Milky Way Galaxy. This map is designed to determine Earth’s location within the galaxy.
4. Binary-coded Information: Codes indicating the record’s starting point and signal structure are included.
5. Silhouette Diagram: Drawings illustrating the proportions and structure of human figures.
6. Message: The following message is inscribed on the protective cover:

"This is a present from a small, distant world, a token of our sounds, our science, our images, our music, our thoughts, and our feelings. We are attempting to survive our time so we may live into yours."^【2】 

(This is a gift from a small, distant world, a token of our sounds, our science, our images, our music, our thoughts, and our feelings. We are striving to survive our time so that we may live into yours.)

This message was added to emphasize humanity’s peaceful intentions and cultural heritage.

The record offers a broad spectrum of content:

1. Greetings and Languages: “Hello” and greetings in 55 different languages.
2. Natural Sounds: Natural sounds of Earth such as bird songs, wind, ocean waves, and waterfalls.
3. Music: Music from many cultures around the world, including Western classical pieces by Bach and Beethoven, as well as traditional melodies from the East and Africa.
4. Images: Photographs and drawings depicting humans, animals, plants, nature, and scientific data. These illustrate general information about the human species and life on Earth.
5. Mathematics and Physics: Scientific information such as a map showing Earth’s location, atomic numbers, and graphic representations of chemical structures.

^【3】 

1. "Greeting from UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim" – 0:44
2. "Greetings in 55 Languages" (by various artists) – 3:46
3. "UN Greetings / Whale Songs" (by various artists) – 4:04
4. "Sounds of Earth" (by various artists) – 12:19
5. "Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F Major, BWV 1047: I. Allegro" (Munich Bach Orchestra/Karl Richter) – Johann Sebastian Bach – 4:44
6. "Ketawang: Puspåwarnå (Flower Types)" (Pura Paku Alaman Palace Orchestra/K.R.T. Wasitodipuro) – Mangkunegara IV – 4:47
7. "Cengunmé" (by Mahi musicians of Benin) – 2:11
8. "Alima Song" (by Mbuti from the Ituri Rainforest) – 1:01
9. "Barnumbirr (Morning Star) and Moikoi Song" (by Tom Djäwa, Mudpo and Waliparu, recorded by Sandra LeBrun Holmes) – 1:29
10. "El Cascabel" (by Antonio Maciel and Los Aguilillas, Mariachi México de Pepe Villa/Rafael Carrión) – Lorenzo Barcelata – 3:20
11. "Johnny B. Goode" – Chuck Berry – 2:41
12. "Mariuamangɨ" (by Pranis Pandang and Kumbui, Nyaura Clan) – 1:25
13. "Sokaku-Reibo (Depiction of Cranes in the Nest)" (by Goro Yamaguchi) – 5:04
14. "Partita for Violin Solo No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006: III. Gavotte en Rondeau" (by Arthur Grumiaux) – Johann Sebastian Bach – 2:58
15. "The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte), K. 620, Act II: The Revenge of Hell Burns My Heart" (by Edda Moser/Bavarian State Opera Orchestra and Chorus/Wolfgang Sawallisch) – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – 3:00
16. "Chakrulo" (by the Georgian State Ensemble of Folk Songs and Dances, directed by Anzor Kavsadze) – 2:21

1. "Roncadoras and Drums" (by musicians from Ancash) – 0:55
2. "Melancholy Blues" (by Louis Armstrong and His Hot Seven) – Marty Bloom and Walter Melrose – 3:06
3. "Muğam" (by Kamil Jalilov) – 2:35
4. "The Rite of Spring, Part II—The Sacrifice: VI. The Sacrificial Dance (The Chosen One)" (Columbia Symphony Orchestra/Igor Stravinsky) – Igor Stravinsky – 4:38
5. "Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II: Prelude and Fugue No. 1 in C Major, BWV 870" (by Glenn Gould) – Johann Sebastian Bach – 4:51
6. "Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Opus 67: I. Allegro Con Brio" (Philharmonia Orchestra/Otto Klemperer) – Ludwig van Beethoven – 8:49
7. "Izlel e Delyu Haydutin" (by Valya Balkanska) – 5:04
8. "Navajo Night Ceremony, Yeibichai Dance" (by Ambrose Roan Horse, Chester Roan and Tom Roan) – 1:01
9. "Fairie Round" (Early Music Consort of London/David Munrow) – Anthony Holborne – 1:19
10. "Naranaratana Kookokoo (Call of the Megapode Bird)" (by Maniasinimae and Taumaetarau Tribal Groups) – 1:15
11. "Wedding Song" (by a young girl from Huancavelica, recorded by John Cohen) – 0:42
12. "Liu Shui (Flowing Streams)" (by Guan Pinghu) – 7:36
13. "Bhairavi: Jaat Kahan Ho" – Kesarbai Kerkar – 3:34
14. "Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground" – Blind Willie Johnson – 3:32
15. "String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat Major, Opus 130: V. Cavatina" (by the Budapest Quartet) – Ludwig van Beethoven – 5:47

The Turkish greeting recorded on the disc reads: "Sayın Türkçe bilen arkadaşlarımız, sabah-ı şerifiniz hayrolsun". This phrase is a traditional Turkish morning greeting equivalent to "Good morning" and reflects a customary form of salutation in Turkish culture. As the purpose of the recording is to carry the diversity of Earth’s cultures as a message to the cosmos, Turkish was included as part of this cultural diversity.

Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 were the first human-made objects sent into interstellar space. The Golden Record was designed to communicate the existence of Earth and humanity to any potential extraterrestrial civilization. Additionally, the record serves as an important time capsule in human history; even if humanity were to one day cease to exist, the record would continue to endure in space.

^【4】 

The Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft, carrying the Golden Record, were launched in 1977 and have since exited the Solar System to enter interstellar space.

Voyager 1 became the first human-made object to exit the heliosphere and enter interstellar space in 2012. Today, Voyager 1 is approximately 25 billion kilometers from Earth and continues to move farther away.

Voyager 2 entered interstellar space in 2018 after crossing the heliosphere. It is currently approximately 21 billion kilometers away.

Both spacecraft continue to operate with low power consumption and still transmit scientific data. However, communication signals take approximately 22 hours to reach Earth from Voyager 1 and approximately 18 hours from Voyager 2.

The Golden Record has become an important cultural symbol beyond its function as a communication device, representing the history and culture of humanity. Over time, it has generated significant interest among scientists, philosophers and artists. To some, this endeavor is seen as an act of acknowledging humanity’s loneliness in the universe and an effort to establish a connection with something greater.

The Golden Record is not merely a message sent into space; it is a symbolic representation carrying deep cultural and philosophical meaning for humanity.