Voyager record

Definition

The Voyager record, also known as the Golden Record, is a phonograph record included on both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft launched in 1977. It contains sounds and images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth for any extraterrestrial intelligence that might find it.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Voyager record was designed by a committee chaired by Carl Sagan.
2. It includes greetings in 55 different languages.
3. The record contains music from various cultures and eras, including works by Bach and Beethoven.
4. Images on the record depict human life, animals, plants, and geological features.
5. Both Voyager spacecraft are now in interstellar space carrying the Golden Records.

Review Questions

• Who chaired the committee responsible for creating the Voyager record?
• How many languages are represented in the greetings on the Voyager record?
• Where are the two Voyager spacecraft currently located?

Related terms

Voyager Spacecraft: Twin NASA probes launched in 1977 to study the outer planets and now traveling through interstellar space

SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence): Scientific efforts aimed at detecting signals from intelligent extraterrestrial civilizations

Pioneer Plaque: A message attached to Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 spacecraft intended to communicate with extraterrestrials