asking for trouble

Arecibo

perler bead arecibo (pt 1)

So, my perler beading is going much better. I’ve split the design into 3 parts and the first section is done! I actually did it twice – I preferred how the reverse side looks so I redid the design back to front. I ironed it way longer this time and that made a big difference. Anyway, you may be wondering what the hell it is.

dictionary of space and astronomy

Allow me to show you a book – The Dictionary of Space and Astronomy. I got this book for Christmas when I was about ten. It’s the only book I have kept from my childhood even though it’s ridiculously out of date. I’m also not sure why I’ve stuck a dog on the cover.

arecibo

Anyway, the reason I kept it is this page which shows the Arecibo Message (strangely filed under SETI, rather than Arecibo), which is possibly my favourite thing in the entire Universe. Basically it was sent by the Arecibo radio telescope in 1974 to “globular star cluster M13 some 25,000 light years away ” (such turn of phrase, Wikipedia). In case any ALIENS received it, the message shows some basic facts of life on Earth in binary: numbers, the elements of DNA, the size of a human, the population of Earth, the solar system (with man standing on Earth) and  the radio telescope itself at the bottom.

 

Of course, the whole thing was a publicity stunt, as it would take 25,000 years for anyone to receive the message and they would really have had to send it to where M13 would be in 25,000 years, rather than where it was in 1974. But despite all that, I mostly just love how it looks. I’ve had a printout up in my room for a while, but a perler bead version will be much cooler.

Hurray for slightly odd fascinations. I’ll be sure to show when it’s all finished and framed. I think I’m going to run out of black beads soon.

marceline

Hello! I’m Marceline Smith, the designer and owner of Asking For Trouble. I create illustrated stationery, accessories and gifts using my cute characters inspired by Japanese kawaii. This is my business and personal blog where I write about my creative doings, inspirations, travels, Japan trips and daily life. Read more »


Browse the archives

Buy my stuff

other things I Do

COPYRIGHT

All text, photos and illustrations are © Marceline Smith 2007-2024 unless credited otherwise. You may repost my images with full credit and link. However, do not reproduce full posts without my permission or use my images or writing for commercial purposes. Thank you!

DISCLAIMER

All opinions are my own and I am not compensated or sponsored for writing about any products or services featured unless stated in the post. Links to shops and websites may be affiliate links – I receive a small commission from your orders at no cost to you, which helps me fund this site. I do not accept advertising.