NASA streams MP3 into space

 

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By Matthew Sparkes

Posted on 5 Feb 2008 at 10:38

NASA has beamed an MP3 file into space towards the North Star, although it will take 431 years to complete its journey.

"At the moment we are sending up Morse code as a way of contacting aliens," organiser Martin Lewis told BBC radio. "Maybe we should send them something a little more cheery."

NASA used its international network of radio telescopes and radar stations, the Deep Space Network, to beam the Beatles's Across the Universe towards the North Star, Polaris.

The event forms part of the 40th anniversary celebrations to mark the recording of the song, as well as the 45th anniversary of the creation of the Deep Space Network.

"Send my love to the aliens," says former Beatle, Paul McCartney.