\input f:dsfahne

\tit {Eine Platte im Weltall}

,,The Pioneer F spacecraft, the first man-made object to journey 
beyond our solar system into interstellar space, carried this 
pictorial plaque, designed to show scientifically educated inhabitants 
of other star systems the origins of Pioneer. The gold-anodized 
plaque, measuring 152 by 229 mm (6 by 9 inches) was attached to the 
spacecraft's antenna support struts in a position intended to shield 
its design from interstellar dust. The design provides basic 
information about our solar system and its inhabitants. The radiating 
lines at left represent the positions of 14 pulsars-cosmic sources of 
radio energy-arranged to indicate our Sun as the home star of the 
launching civilization. The ,,1-'' symbols at the ends of the lines 
are binary numbers that represent the frequencies of the pulsars at 
the time of launch of Pioneer F relative to that of hydrogen atom, 
shown at the upper left with a ,,1'' unity symbol. The hydrogen atom 
is thus used as a ,,universal clock''; regular decreases in the 
frequencies of the of the pulsars will enable other civilizations to 
determine the time that has elapsed since Pioneer F was launched. The 
human figures represent the type of creature that created Pioneer. The 
man's hand is raised in a gesture of good will. The hydrogen 
wavelenght, about 8 inches, multiplied by the binary number 
representing ,,8'' (beside the woman), gives her height - 64 inches. 
Across the bottom of the plaque, the planets which form our solar 
system range outward from the Sun; the trajectory of the spacecraft 
traces its flight from Earth, passing Mars and Jupiter before leaving 
the solar system. (Courtes of NASA)''

Aus: Alonso/Fin, Fundamental University Physics, Addison-Wesley

\sat {Stellt Dir vor, es landet ein Ufo, zwei Wesen steigen aus, und 
fragen Dich, was der Kram sollte...}

\bye 

