The Red Letter

or Messages From Beyond

Messages from Carl Edward Sagan 1934-1996 Postcards from Curiosity on the planet Mars & Voyager 1 from interstellar space

Like fledglings leaving the nest to soar into a wide open sky, we are beginning to reach into "the beyond"

Carl Sagan made sure the Voyager spacecraft both included "Messages From Earth",
"The Golden Record".
On it is a message from us, for any intelligent life Voyager should encounter in its far travels.

To hear the greeting in Portuguese Click Here.The voice is that of Dr. Janet Sternberg.
The message translated to English is "Peace and happiness to all". 

With my thanks to Dr. Sternberg for agreeing to have her clip included on this blog.
 (Janet, your voice on the Voyagers is now beginning a new leg of its' journey...Bon Voyage!)

Still working 35 years later the Voyagers are signalling that they are finally beginning to leave the heliosphere
 and will soon be sailing into interstellar space. Amazingly this is happening at the same time that Curiosity is searching for evidence of life on Mars. Before he passed away, Carl Sagan also recorded a message for Mars. Here it is:

"My parents were not scientists. They knew almost nothing about science. But in introducing me simultaneously to skepticism and to wonder, they taught me the two uneasily cohabiting modes  of thought that are central to the scientific method." Carl Sagan NASA/JPL's Voyager

Dr. Carl Edward Sagan A Message To Mars "Whatever the reason you're on Mars, I'm glad you're there, and I wish I was with you." Carl Sagan NASA, & many others wish he were here today. Sagan & Viking 1  The first spacecraft to successfully land on Mars and perform its mission

 Some early Mars Science Lab, Curiosity rover postcards from Gale Crater, Mars:

All civilizations become either spacefaring or extinct. Carl Sagan Image of Voyagers 1 & 2 the edge of the heliosphere

Curiosity's parachute descent The heat shield falling away Landing on the surface Curiosity's landing site A closer look at Curiosity

"The total number of stars in the Universe is larger than all the grains of sand on all the beaches of the planet Earth." “We have also arranged things so that almost no one understands science and technology. This is a prescription for disaster. We might get away with it for a while, but sooner or later this combustible mixture  of ignorance and power  is going to blow up in our faces.” Carl Sagan

From the surface of Mars   Curiosity's first view of a curious landscape

The Blue Letter Message to the People of Earth

To The Spirit of Carl Sagan... "Billions & Billions" of thanks!

Enjoy.

© 2012 MU-Peter Shimon

You might also like to see: / Oh Look...  We're Here! / Fly Me to the Moon... / Desiderata /

Desiderata

or Desired Things in the dog days of summer...

Desiderata (Latin: "desired things") Desired Things... Like A Vacation? Time to Reflect?

Red sand between my toes... Summer vacation in outer space. A Martian Haiku by Robin Williams Happy Landing NASA JPL MSL Curiosity!

Desiderata Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.  Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline,be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you,  no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,  and whatever your labours and  aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.  With all its shams, drudgery, & broken dreams it is still a beautiful world.  Be cheerful. Strive to be happy. Max Ehrmann 1927

Enjoy

© 2012 MU-Peter Shimon