Science Postcard - Humanity's Message to the Universe (Pioneer)

The Pioneer Golden Aluminum Plate Postcard is an unparalleled treasure, merging technology and art, representing humanity's boundless pursuit of space and its history of exploration. This postcard is not only a microcosm of space technology but also a testament to humanity's significant milestones in space exploration. https://cdn.cybassets.com/s/files/5993/ckeditor/pictures/content_e72f8a8d-aafc-4910-8054-664d5dcbbbc1.jpg But what exactly is this Pioneer Golden Aluminum Plate? It refers to the Pioneer Plaques, designed by Carl Sagan and Frank Drake. These are a pair of 6x9 inch (15.24cm x 22.86cm) anodized gold-colored aluminum plates, attached to the Pioneer 10 (launched in 1972) and Pioneer 11 (launched in 1973) spacecraft. They are etched with a set of pictorial messages. As these two probes were the first human-made objects to achieve escape velocity from the solar system, the message on the plaque was intended for any extraterrestrial civilization that might intercept the probes. Its contents include information about the probes' origin, such as depictions of human figures and Earth's position in the universe. The plaque attached to Pioneer 10. Image source: NASA The design of this plaque was completed in just three weeks. Sagan and Drake conceived the content, while Sagan's wife, Linda Salzman Sagan, created the artistic renderings. Ultimately, the plaque was manufactured by Precision Engravers (in San Carlos, California) and launched aboard Pioneer 10 on March 2, 1972, and Pioneer 11 on April 5, 1973. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3d/Pioneer_10_%2818427352949%29.jpg/1280px-Pioneer_10_%2818427352949%29.jpg Like a message in a bottle drifting at sea, this message will float among the stars. However, for the probe to travel to a star 30 light-years away from the solar system, the average time required would exceed the current age of our Milky Way galaxy. https://cdn.cybassets.com/s/files/5993/ckeditor/pictures/content_2db2085b-d744-4ef0-80e9-5685bf201f61.jpg The plaque is covered with many images and symbols, telling any aliens where this spacecraft came from and who we are. There is a depiction of a human figure, as if saying "Hello." This plaque is the world's first "galactic postcard," a greeting card from humanity to any space neighbors who might happen to discover it. On the right side of the plate, there are images of a man and a woman standing in front of the spacecraft. Next to the female figure, an "8" is depicted in binary. Using a length calculated from the spin-flip transition of a hydrogen atom on the left: 8 units x 21 centimeters = 168 centimeters. This indicates the average height of the female figure is approximately 168 cm. Additionally, the male figure raises his right hand, indicating friendliness. While this gesture may not be universally understood across the cosmos, it at least demonstrates that human thumbs and arms are capable of movement. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/PPlaqueLarge.png/1280px-PPlaqueLarge.png The right half of the plaque depicts human figures and a representation of the Pioneer spacecraft, to show aliens the relative size of humans and the spacecraft. Below this, simple diagrams represent the Sun and the nine planets at the time, with Earth's position slightly offset from the other planets, indicating to aliens that we inhabit this particular planet in the solar system. A trajectory line for the Pioneer spacecraft is also drawn from Earth's position. But how would aliens know where our solar system is located? Worry not, on the left half of the plaque are several radial lines. These lines represent the distances to the Sun and nearby pulsars (celestial bodies that emit high-power radiation in a stable pattern). Through relative positioning, an extraterrestrial civilization could pinpoint the location of our solar system. https://cdn.cybassets.com/s/files/5993/ckeditor/pictures/content_11731701-cbd4-42c4-b9f6-6c57e2ad4281.jpg The 15 lines shown all radiate from a single point. On 14 of these lines, numbers are written in binary. These represent the pulse signal periods of 14 pulsars (neutron stars) in the Milky Way galaxy. https://cdn.cybassets.com/s/files/5993/ckeditor/pictures/content_545883f3-cdfd-4006-b12e-5b965fa03eff.png Product Specifications: ► Dimensions: 105*148mm ► Material: Swedish First-Class Cardstock ► Made in: Taiwan Precautions: ► Keep away from fire sources