In 1972 and 1973, the NASA Pioneer space mission launched twin spacecraft, Pioneer 10 and 11, with each carrying a 6" x 9" gold-anodized aluminum plaque. The plaque is affixed to the support struts close to the spacecraft's main body. Carl Sagan and Frank Drake played key rolls in designing the plaque and Linda Salzman Sagan, Sagan's wife at the time, was the artist who drew the images engraved on the plaque.
The images on each plaque are intended to explain to any alien form of life who we are and where we come from.
At the top left of the plaque is a diagram representing the hydrogen atom in its two lowest states - the transition that is depicted provides a basic unit of time and physical length. The binary equivalent of the decimal number 8 is shown between the two, indicating the height of the human figures shown as compared with the scale of the spacecraft.
The radial pattern shows the location of the solar system in relation to 14 pulsars. Solid bars indicate distance, with the horizontal bar denoting distance from the Sun to the galactic center. Shorter bars represent direction and distances to various pulsars from our Sun. Ticks following them are periods of the pulsars in binary form.
The diagram along the bottom shows the relative distances of the solar planets and identifies the ringed planet Saturn and the planet from which Pioneer originated.
Finally, the plaque depicts a man and a woman in a gesture of friendliness, while also showing how limbs can be moved and the presence of fingers and an opposable thumb.
"The mysterious part is the man and the woman to the right of the plaque. And they will be mysterious because there will not be men and women anywhere else." ~Carl Sagan
Now you can own your own replica of this famous plaque - a must-have for any space enthusiast!
Features:
- Dimensions: 6" x 9"
- Material:Lacquered stain gold colored aluminum
- Laser etched