The Songs

Art by Marlena Bocian Hewitt
Videos by the Charles Hayden Planetarium, Museum of Science, Boston

1. Water Romanza

On earth, water is part of the intricate ballet of life and climate.

We’ve detected this spectrum on other worlds, but so far all is lifeless, stagnant: dead.

What does it take for water to spring to life so dramatically?

2. Red Edge

Chlorophyll sings a song: a falling frequency curve of light.

If we find this signal beyond earth, might there be trees on other worlds?

The chemistry of life we know is the same in space.

3. Methane

Methane = can be produced by inorganic processes

Oxygen = can be produced by inorganic processes

Methane + Oxygen = an unstable mix

Produced by living things?

4. Wanderers

Adapted from Carl Sagan:

We began as wanderers, we are wanderers still. 

We have lingered too long on the shores of the cosmic ocean.

5. Ceres

A lifeless asteroid, or home to frozen oceans, pushing up white salt to the surface?

We will visit soon.

6. Equals Life

The clues for life come together: Water, Methane, Oxygen, Red Edge.

Maybe, just maybe, this sum = life?

When we find it, what then? What message will we send, beamed out on wings of light?

7. Romanza Acoustic

We return
to the source.