When NASA launched its Voyager probes in 1977, the goal was not only to learn about the distant planets Jupiter and Saturn but also to discover the possible presence of aliens and share with them the news of humanity's existence.
In order to communicate with beings well beyond Earth's hemisphere, the space agency outfitted the probes with messages in case they were picked up by the extra-terrestrials, reported the Independent.
The messages were not sent out as signals but rather were contained in copies of a "golden record," which were attached to the sides of Voyagers 1 and 2.
Designed by Carl Sagan, the records contain 116 images depicting life on Earth and recordings of human speech in 50 languages.
The records likewise featured various sounds from the planet and about 90 minutes of music from different cultures and nations.
NASA mounted the records on the surface of the probes, etching their cases with diagrams which would help explain to aliens the news that mankind existed and wished to make contact with them.
The images on the records were made practical enough so that their finders would easily be able to decode human numbers and measurements of distance.
Other images showed the different aspects of human life such as eating, drinking, cooking food, smoking, dancing, and playing music.
The music on the record also featured a wide range of human artistic expression which included Beethoven's "Symphony No. 2," Chuck Berry's "Johnny B Goode," and recordings of Peruvian panpipes.
Moreover, the probes contained a printed message from former U.S. President Jimmy Carter which was addressed to potential alien civilizations.
"This is a present from a small distant world, a token of our sounds, our science, our images, our music, our thoughts and our feelings," Carter's message read.
But the more amazing news is that Voyager 1 and 2 are still sending back information to NASA, which raises the potential of Earth being able to finally communicate with aliens, according to Vox.
Based on NASA's calculations, the probes will have enough power and continue to do its work until about 2020.
Based on the data coming from the probes, Voyager 2 is currently travelling across the heliosphere and moving southward relative to Earth's orbit, while Voyager 1 is moving in the northward direction.
After about 40,000 years, the probes will pass closer to another star than they are to the Earth's sun.
There are currently three NASA spacecraft that are approaching interstellar space, two of which, the Pioneer 10 and 11, also contain news for aliens that a blue planet teeming with intelligent life exists.
