2007 marks the 30th anniversary of the launch of the Voyager I and II spacecraft to study the outer solor system. Voyager I made news earlier in the week when it passed through a zone scientists call the termination shock region and into the vastness of interstellar space.

Both spacecraft also are carrying a golden phonograph record containing photos, sounds, and music meant to represent the people of Earth.

I’m reading “Murmurs of Earth”, Carl Sagan’s account of the how and why of the musical selections included on the records.

So far it’s a really interesting read, and I would recommend it to anyone out there reading this. Especially the later editions, which include a copy of the contents of the record on a CD-ROM.
It makes for a great listen while you’re, er, contemplating the spheres.

What really floored me, though, was this little admission from page 19:

We wanted to send “Here Comes The Sun” by the Beatles, and all four Beatles gave their approval. But the Beatles did not own the copyright, and the legal status of the piece seemed too murky to risk.

Can ya belive it? Learned men of science denying alien intelligence the Beatles for fear of being sued? ‘Tis a sad thing.

What music would you include on a mix tape for space aliens? Leave your selections in the comments section.

Link to Amazon page for the book.