xkcd #3302: Voyager Instruments
Title text:
Convincing him to turn off the stupid laser show and useless sound system was such a huge ordeal that no one has wanted to do it again.
Transcript:
Transcript will show once it’s been added to explainxkcd.com
Source: https://xkcd.com/3302/
If you assume that the aliens who might come across Voyager 1 would be at least as advanced as us, they’d probably know that a civilization that is cool doesn’t need to try to look cool.
YEAH GREG, YOU BIG DOPE, NOW WE LOOK UNCOOL! TURN IT OFF OR WE SEND YOU OUT THERE TO TURN IN OFF! ~ffs they let him put that shit on voyager, tf were they thinking!~
“America’s harbinger to the stars will not be UNPIMPED!”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voyager_Golden_Record
The Voyager Golden Records are two identical phonograph records, with one copy aboard each of the two Voyager spacecraft launched in 1977.[1] The records contain sounds and data to reconstruct raster scan images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth, and are intended for any intelligent extraterrestrial life form who may find them. The records are a time capsule.
https://lemmy.today/pictrs/image/95b3e37c-0f87-42e7-a659-516d21a243b6.jpeg
https://lemmy.today/pictrs/image/fde997dc-f266-425c-a4a0-de85b7a9f101.jpeg
In Greg’s defense, I’m pretty sure that this would look pretty cool with appropriately-situated green lighting.
EDIT: Also, thank goodness, that had an example of that popular 1940s typeface that I can never remember the name of.
https://fontsinuse.com/uses/43458/voyager-golden-record-lp-label
The oldstyle roman caps used for “The Sounds of Earth” are from a filled-in version of Caslon Openface. The sender info (“United States of America, Planet Earth”) is set in bold caps from Futura.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futura_(typeface)
I have some old books set in that and I like the appearance.
The fact that I had to see it on the object that is literally the furthest human-made thing away from humanity to recall it is a little ludicrous, though.
You know, there’s something oddly beautiful about all of this.
What about the subwoofer then? Nobody can hear that in space anyway.
How far out is Voyager 1 now?
Exactly one Voyager unit away
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voyager_1
Voyager 1 is projected to reach a distance of one light day from Earth in November 2026.[6]
Holy shit light is fast
