Nasa is set to unveil a special tribute as part of its upcoming Europa Clipper mission, destined for Jupiter’s moon Europa. Launching later this year, Europa Clipper carries a triangular metal plate designed to symbolize Earth’s profound connection to the enigmatic moon, which exhibits evidence of a subsurface ocean beneath its icy exterior, containing more than double the water found in all of Earth’s oceans combined.
At the heart of this cosmic artifact is an engraving of US Poet Laureate Ada Limón’s handwritten poem, “In Praise of Mystery: A Poem for Europa.” Alongwith a silicon microchip adorned with over 2.6 million names submitted by the public. This microchip, a nod to Nasa’s “Message in a Bottle” campaign, will be integrated into an illustration of a bottle navigating the Jovian system.
Crafted from tantalum and measuring 7 by 11 inches, the plate serves as a ‘Golden Record’ for Europa, showcasing graphic elements on both sides. The outward-facing panel features artwork highlighting Earth’s connection to Europa, including recordings of the word “water” spoken in 103 languages, symbolizing the universality of this essential element for life.
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