Golden Records
Since 1977, when NASA probes Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 were launched into space (where they still remain), any potential life forms with hearing abilities have had access to the sounds of earth. What are they? The sounds include music from different cultures and eras, as well as natural and man-made sounds (i.e., a kiss between a mother and child, the sounds of the wind, rain and surf), all on 12-in., gold-plated copper discs. The contents, selected by a committee chaired by the renowned Carl Sagan, also include a message from President Jimmy Carter as well as 115 images encoded in analog form. NASA also kindly included a cartridge and a needle for ease of use.

• Animals in Space