The plaque we sent out to space

[Tenochtitlan]

This was Carl Sagan's design of the engraved message that we sent out on Pioneer 9(10?). There is an image of a hydrogen atom. Why? And what do those lines flaring out from the middle mean? Is this our location in the Galaxy? I understand this is binary code.

And at the bottom it shows us being 3rd planet from the sun. My question is: Could we have made a better plaque than this one? I think this one is pretty good

 

[Rossiya]

If any superior beings from space saw this plaque, I think even they would be confused by it.

 

[Godwynn]

If we humans cannot even interpret it, how can a distant species? Although I think the third planet and the arrow drawn to the satellite is pretty self explanatory. The problem is, out of the billions of star systems, which third planet from the largest one sent it out?

 

[MrCynical]

Why? And what do those lines flaring out from the middle mean? Is this our location in the Galaxy? I understand this is binary code

14 of the lines indicate the direction and distance of 14 pulsars relative to our solar system. The 15th line (the one running horizontally behind the human figures) indicates the distance to the centre of our galaxy, and also provides the reference point for the directions of the pulsars.

Strictly speaking you could work out the position of our solar system from far less than the information on the 14 pulsars, but plenty were included to allow for some pulsars being unknown or unidentifiable.

The hydrogen atom is included as a measurement of distance. The spin flip transition illustrated corresponds to a specific wavelength, which is given a binary value of 1. This is then used as a the measurement of distance for the diagrams indicating position in the solar system and galaxy

 

[Kozmos]

Ahh you are posting pornographic images! My sensitive eyes!

Hydrogen atom? The most abudant element in teh universe.

The flaring lines? Relative position of the Sun to the center of the Galaxy and 14 pulsars.

 

[Bluemofia]

And then the people drawn are showing how large we are comapred to the probe's radar dish.

 

[Chaos_BF1942]

At first I thought you said plague. ^_^;;

Here is the wiki article on the plaque.

I don't think it would really show aliens anything, we all know the Klingons already used it for target practice.

 

[Tenochtitlan]

Very interesting, you think they will be able to decipher the message?

 

[warpus]

IMO if aliens ever come across this plaque, the first thing they'll think is "Look at those small genitals"

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Talk about an anticlimactic moment. At last the great moment arrives, we make contact with an alien race, and what happens? They laugh at our genitalia

 

[thetrooper]

What if teh aliens are hermaphroditic?

Silly plaque btw. Carl Sagan.

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

Well, we dont understand it, us normal folk, but obviously our scientists do, thats why they made it. Im sure if some alien 'commoner' found it, he'd say in his alien language the equivalent of "WTH?," but their scientists would be able to understand it.

 

[Esox]

I wonder if the Borg will return the favor with some porn of their own?

They can leave out the meaningless schematic lines, though.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

That thing on top, above the radiating lines, is that hydrogen? I thought it was a surprised looking guy with glasses.

 

[Esox]

I figured out what the guy on the plaque reminds me of. I never knew old Carl was a fan, too. But I don't get why they didn't include the message: "Attention all planets of the Solar Federation, we have assumed control...."

 

[Che Guava]

I have a question: where's Jesus on that plaque?!

I know it doesn't look like much, but I would have a tough time trying to figure out what else to put on there. I wish there was some way of conveying 'peace' to whatever it might run into. It's all fun and games until the pioneer hits some giant alien in the eye, and he finds a map to our planet on the back of it,....

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Im not an alien, but I could look at that and easily interpret it to be a declaration of war. The invasion fleet has already left the third planet with plenty of breeding pairs to populate the conquered territory. Hydrogen bombs will be used.

 

[Che Guava]

Im not an alien, but I could look at that and easily interpret it to be a declaration of war. The invasion fleet has already left the third planet with plenty of breeding pairs to populate the conquered territory. Hydrogen bombs will be used.

This is what I'm saying! Each symbol taken on its own seems ok, but it paints a funny picture together.

Can't you picture the aliens looking it over?

Hmmmm, hydrogen powered ponography from some place called earth...? Probably just another spam shuttle....

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Yeah, theyd see it as primitve interstellar porn spam

 

[Tenochtitlan]

I figured out what the guy on the plaque reminds me of. I never knew old Carl was a fan, too. But I don't get why they didn't include the message: "Attention all planets of the Solar Federation, we have assumed control...."

Listening to Fountain of Lamneth right now!
Brilliant band
But my dad had Carl's book Cosmos, its a nice book. RIP Carl Sagan