Saturday, February 02, 2008

Beatles Beamed-- 'Across the Universe'

My son sent me the following press release from NASA---
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NASA AND THE BEATLES CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARIES BY BEAMING SONG 'ACROSS THE UNIVERSE' INTO DEEP SPACE

WASHINGTON -- For the first time ever, NASA will beam a song -- The
Beatles' "Across the Universe" -- directly into deep space at 7 p.m.
EST on Feb. 4.

The transmission over NASA's Deep Space Network will commemorate the
40th anniversary of the day The Beatles recorded the song, as well as
the 50th anniversary of NASA's founding and the group's beginnings.
Two other anniversaries also are being honored: The launch 50 years
ago this week of Explorer 1, the first U.S. satellite, and the
founding 45 years ago of the Deep Space Network, an international
network of antennas that supports missions to explore the universe.

The transmission is being aimed at the North Star, Polaris, which is
located 431 light years away from Earth. The song will travel across
the universe at a speed of 186,000 miles per second. Former Beatle
Sir Paul McCartney expressed excitement that the tune, which was
principally written by fellow Beatle John Lennon, was being beamed
into the cosmos.

"Amazing! Well done, NASA!" McCartney said in a message to the space
agency. "Send my love to the aliens. All the best, Paul."

Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, characterized the song's transmission as a
significant event.

"I see that this is the beginning of the new age in which we will
communicate with billions of planets across the universe," she said.

It is not the first time Beatles music has been used by NASA; in
November 2005, McCartney performed the song "Good Day Sunshine"
during a concert that was transmitted to the International Space
Station. "Here Comes the Sun," "Ticket to Ride" and "A Hard Day's
Night" are among other Beatles' songs that have been played to wake
astronaut crews in orbit.

Feb. 4 has been declared "Across The Universe Day" by Beatles fans to
commemorate the anniversaries. As part of the celebration, the public
around the world has been invited to participate in the event by
simultaneously playing the song at the same time it is transmitted by
NASA. Many of the senior NASA scientists and engineers involved in
the effort are among the group's biggest fans.

"I've been a Beatles fan for 45 years รข€" as long as the Deep Space
Network has been around," said Dr. Barry Geldzahler, the network's
program executive at NASA Headquarters, Washington. "What a joy,
especially considering that 'Across the Universe' is my personal
favorite Beatles song."

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., operates the
Deep Space Network. For information about the Deep Space Network, go


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Now if we could just get them to beam 'Amazing Grace' or O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing" across the universe.

5 comments:

Rev. Spike said...

amen

Unknown said...

Methinks that this might be another conspiratorial attempt to cover-up previous contact with alien civilizations. For I recall seeing evidence of far earlier broadcasts that were intercepted by residents of galaxies far far away in several Star Trek episodes. I might be mistaken, however.

Larry McCallister, Jr. said...

I nice oration of Psalm 148 would've been much more poignant. [sigh] Our tax dollars at work.

Tom 1st said...

now if we could just get them to spend money on something worth doing - you know, like feeding starving children. man, wouldn't that be stellar!

Micah said...

Hello Ben,
I just started a blog called ChristianityUnderAttack on blogspot, and I was trolling around looking at other blogs when I found yours on, ironically, Debunking Christianity's site. I am a former seminary student of Dr Bill Ury, who I believe you know, a man I deeply admire, and I am just tickled pink to find your blog--it truly puts mine to shame. You are posting an incredible amount of material compared to mine.
Just wanted to acknowledge these things--also, I missed your debate at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS a few years ago, against some agnostic posing as the enlightened one, but I heard you did great! And I've read much of your stuff (Christianity Today, BAR, etc.)and feel you are one of Christianity's greatest spokesmen. Anyway, I'm very glad you're out here in rather hostile internet territory.

Lanny F. McKay
Abbeville SC
(formerly of Jackson MS)