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Drama on 4

The Golden Record

Duration: 45 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 Extra

The Golden Record was one of two phonograph records on the Voyager spacecraft, containing sounds and images of Earth's life and culture - a cosmic message in a bottle to outer space. It was created by a team lead by Carl Sagan, and there is a real love story behind the science.

Carl Sagan was an author, astronomer and sceptic who popularised science. In 1977 he was tasked, with his colleague Ann Druyan, writer, activist and academic, with creating a 'golden record', a compilation of sounds and images to be launched into space. This disc would represent life on Earth, a greeting to worlds light-years away.

Sagan and Druyan raced against time to perfect 'the ultimate mix-tape', and fell in love. It was not straightforward – Sagan was already married. However, in one phone call, they agreed that whatever lay ahead, they needed to be together.

They were together until Sagan's death in 1996. In 2012, the Voyager spacecraft left our solar system forever.

Written by Duncan MacMillan and Effie Woods.

Carl Sagan ..... Kerry Shale
Ann Druyan ..... Nancy Crane
Linda Sagan ..... Clare Cage
John Casani ..... Mathew Gravelle
Tim ..... Chris Jack

Director ..... Polly Thomas
Sound designer ..... Cathy Robinson

A BBC Cymru/Wales production or BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in October 2014. Show less

Contributors

Carl Sagan:
Kerry Shale
Ann Druyan:
Nancy Crane
Linda Sagan:
Clare Cage
John Casani:
Mathew Gravelle
Director:
Polly Thomas

Genres

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