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Modern Encyclopedia Entry 1780014184

** The Voyager Golden Record is a gold-plated copper record containing sounds and images of Earth, launched into space in 1977 as a message to extraterrestrial life. **CONTENT:** **Overview** The Voyager Golden Record is a pioneering achievement in the field of astrobiology and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). Conceived by Carl Sagan and his colleagues at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the record was designed to serve as a snapshot of humanity and our planet, to be played back by any intelligent being who might encounter it. Launched on August 20, 1977, aboard the Voyager 1 spacecraft, the Golden Record has traveled over 14 billion miles into interstellar space, carrying with it a message of peace, curiosity, and humanity's place in the universe. The Golden Record is a 12-inch gold-plated copper record, containing a diverse selection of sounds and images that showcase the richness and complexity of human culture. The record features a wide range of music, from classical compositions to folk songs, as well as natural sounds, such as the sounds of the Earth's oceans, mountains, and forests. The record also includes greetings in 55 different languages, as well as mathematical and scientific concepts, such as the binary code for the number pi. **History/Background** The idea for the Golden Record was first proposed by Carl Sagan in 1972, as a way to create a message that could be understood by any intelligent being who might encounter it. Sagan and his colleagues worked tirelessly to select the contents of the record, which was designed to be a representative sample of human culture and experience. The record was manufactured by the JPL's machine shop, using a combination of gold plating and copper etching to create the intricate designs and patterns that adorn the record. The Voyager 1 spacecraft was launched on September 5, 1977, carrying the Golden Record with it. The spacecraft was designed to study the outer Solar System and beyond, and the Golden Record was intended to serve as a kind of "time capsule" that would allow future civilizations to understand the context and significance of the spacecraft's findings. **Key Information** The Golden Record contains a diverse selection of sounds and images, including: * Music: 27 tracks, featuring a wide range of styles and genres, from classical compositions to folk songs * Natural sounds: 116 tracks, featuring the sounds of the Earth's oceans, mountains, forests, and other natural environments * Greetings: 55 languages, including greetings in some of the world's most widely spoken languages * Mathematical and scientific concepts: 21 tracks, featuring mathematical and scientific concepts, such as the binary code for the number pi * Human sounds: 18 tracks, featuring a wide range of human sounds, from laughter to crying The Golden Record is a remarkable achievement in the field of astrobiology and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Its contents provide a unique glimpse into human culture and experience, and serve as a reminder of the importance of communication and understanding in the universe. **Significance** The Voyager Golden Record is a significant achievement in the field of astrobiology and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Its contents provide a unique glimpse into human culture and experience, and serve as a reminder of the importance of communication and understanding in the universe. The record has also played a key role in the development of the field of astrobiology, and has inspired a new generation of scientists and researchers to explore the possibility of life beyond Earth. **INFOBOX:** - **Name:** Voyager Golden Record - **Type:** Message to extraterrestrial life - **Date:** 1977 - **Location:** Launched aboard the Voyager 1 spacecraft - **Known For:** Containing a diverse selection of sounds and images that showcase the richness and complexity of human culture **TAGS:** Astrobiology, SETI, Voyager 1, Golden Record, Carl Sagan, NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Interstellar space, Message to extraterrestrial life, Human culture, Music, Natural sounds, Greetings, Mathematical and scientific concepts, Human sounds.