4 ms·

how will alien distinguish this from random noise that is scrached on disk.

• joezydeco 15y ago
  Considering the aliens are examining an interstellar space probe with manufactured materials and systems, perhaps they could intelligently conclude that the disc isn't there for any other purpose than to contain information?
  • majmun 15y ago
    but still you need to interpret that data, which can be done in infinite number of ways
    • scg 15y ago
      I'm assuming that's what this metal plate [http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/spacecraft/images/golden_rec_sidebar.gif http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/spacecraft/images/golden_rec_sid...] and the calibration circle [http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/spacecraft/images/image001.gif http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/spacecraft/images/image001.gif] are for.
      • deleted 15y ago
        [deleted]
      • mirkules 15y ago
        Can you explain what the metal plate and calibration circle are for? (edit: I meant, how do they work?) To me, the plate looks like Death Star blueprints, so I'm a little relieved to hear that it's not what I originally thought :)
        • joezydeco 15y ago
          Going from memory, the plate defines a base unit of measurement based on the frequency of the Hydrogen atom (lower right). Hopefully every space-travelling civilization has got that one down on paper. Then it goes into how to play the record back (the speed is drawn around the edge of the record), then how to demodulate the waves, then how to convert the data into scanlines and plot them in a square and get to the calibration circle (middle of the disc). It's kind of quaint that we sent this record of civilization out as gold-plated LP record. Very 70's.
          • mbreese 15y ago
            > It's kind of quaint that we sent this record of civilization out as gold-plated LP record. Very 70's. Now, we'd probably just send an iPad with instructions for recharging it (or a solar charger). Or even better, just send an e-ink Kindle... just make sure to turn it off first.
          • joezydeco 15y ago
            Finally had time to dig out the decoding instructions: http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/spacecraft/images/VgrCover.jpg http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/spacecraft/images/VgrCover.jpg
• Jach 15y ago
  Check out the Dresden Codex: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dresden_Codex http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dresden_Codex There's also this interesting short story: http://lesswrong.com/lw/qk/that_alien_message/ http://lesswrong.com/lw/qk/that_alien_message/
• snorkel 15y ago
  The images printed on the top of the disk hint that the disc itself contains information and how to play it.