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The Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 Plaques
The Pioneer plaques are made of gold anodized aluminum to be able to
endure the extreme environment of space. They are attached to the
framework of two U.S. Space probe vehicles, Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11.
The plaques are 229 mm wide (9 inches) by 152 mm tall (6 inches) and
1.27 mm thick (0.05 inches).
The Mission:
The purpose of the Pioneer plaques are to carry a message from mankind
into deep space and to attempt to communicate who and where we are to
any extraterrestrial intelligences that may come in contact with the
Pioneer space vehicles. The Pioneer probes were launched in 1972
and 1973; they are now 7.5 billion miles from the earth.
The plaques are designed to be easily decipherable (based on our current
knowledge) through the use of a combination of elemental diagrams,
symbols, and mathematics.
The Key to the message:
A schematic representation of the
hyperfine transition of hydrogen, is depicted at the top left section of
the plaque. Hydrogen is thought to be the most abundant element in the
universe and therefore possibly understood by other intelligences. Below
this symbol is a small vertical line to represent the binary digit 1. If
this basic science is understood, it can be used to indicate a unit of
length as well as a unit of time. Both units are used as measurements in
all of the other symbols on the plaque.
The Spacecraft and Human Figures:
The figures of man and woman are in front of the outline of the Pioneer
spacecraft to illustrate the relative size of humans in scale to the
spacecraft. Also, there is binary math symbols that indicate the
woman's height of 168 cm.
The man is shown with a raised hand as a sign of good will, as we
recognize it, however it would be speculation to believe it would be
understood. Additionally, the raised hand indicates that humans
have opposable thumbs, and that limbs can be moved.
The Relative Position of the Sun
and 14 Pulsars:
The plaque also contains a diagram that depicts our sun's relative
position from the sun. Fifteen lines radiating from a single point
essentially using the locations of pulsars, somewhat like lighthouses to
allow our location to be plotted.
The Solar System Diagram:
At the bottom of the plaque is a schematic diagram of our solar system
which indicates earth's position in relationship to the other (known)
planets in our solar system.
So, what is the controversy?
Project Blue Book
Since 1952 the United States Air Force, under the project name of
Project Blue Book, conducted extensive investigation and research on the
topic of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). Essentially the
program had two goals. The first was to determine if UFOs
represented a threat to national security. The second objective of
Project Blue Book was to scientifically analyze UFO related data.
(Much of this research was conducted by the Air Force's Foreign
Technology Division at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.)
In 1970 the United States Air Force terminated the program with the
public conclusion that there was nothing "anomalous about any UFO."
In essence, double speak that says either; they don't exist or we still
don't know.
By the time Project Blue Book ended, 12,618 reported UFO incidents had
been investigated. The official report offered that most were
misidentifications of natural phenomena or conventional aircraft.
Of course this is entirely feasible and is probably an accurate
assessment.
Of interest however, is that 701 investigation reports (approximately
6%) were classified as unknown, defying detailed analysis.
So the question: Why would one agency of the Federal Government,
the U.S. Air Force cancel programs (in 1970) and concluded there is
nothing to report. And then, another agency of the Federal
Government, NASA launch a carefully prepared message into space on two
interstellar probes in 1972 and 1973?
Just makes one wonder about the rationale.
by:
Dr. Von Zuko 2007©
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The case for Extraterrestrial Life Index:
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