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Humans Send 'Mostly Harmless' Message to Aliens
22 Feb
Summary
- New deep space project seeks messages from humanity.
- Messages are recorded on a silicone nano wafer.
- Project inspired by original Voyager Golden Records.
A new initiative, the Humanity United with MIT Art and Nanotechnology in Space (HUMANS) Deep Space Message project, invites people to record messages for potential extraterrestrial civilizations. This endeavor is inspired by the original Golden Records carried aboard the Voyager spacecraft, launched in 1977. These records contained information to introduce humanity to alien life.
The current project, a collaboration with Sydney's Powerhouse Museum, allows contributions until February 27. Over 1,700 individuals have already submitted messages, sharing reflections on love, hope, identity, and everyday life. These personal messages are recorded on a special silicone nano wafer developed by MIT researchers.
These collected messages will be launched on a space mission next year, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Voyager missions. The audio will then be broadcast into deep space. Unlike the original Golden Record, curated by a committee, the HUMANS project offers a more democratic approach to sharing Earth's story.
Project lead Dr. Maya Nasr emphasizes that the project is an inward reflection, aiming to connect people through a shared human story amidst global fragmentation. The act of contemplating what to say to the universe prompts reflection on the fragility and rarity of life on Earth, regardless of whether other life exists.
