Cassini project creates a unique opportunity

I have reposted this because it is fascinating to me. Maybe you will think so, too.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As you already know, in only a week's time, our cameras on Cassini will

be turning Earthward to take images of us and our planet alongside

Saturn and its rings.  I have been encouraging everyone to take

advantage of this special event and, at the appropriate time on July 19,

gather outside with friends and family, acknowledge the interplanetary

salute between robot and maker that this opportunity represents, and

consider the uniqueness of our planet and the life on it.  They are all

reasons for celebration, and I certainly hope you all do just that ...

celebrate!

This event has received considerable attention so far ....

     .  from the TED folks:

http://blog.ted.com/2013/07/03/say-cheese-world-saturn-is-watching/

     . from Richard Branson:

http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/pale-blue-dot

     . from Robert Krulwich of NPR:

www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2013/06/27/196226342/

But I also want to remind you of two contests that Diamond Sky

Productions, LLC is running in association with the July 19 event.

We will be choosing the best original contributions submitted by members

of the pubic -- an image in one case and a musical composition in

another --  to a Message to the Milky Way that will be beamed in about a

year from the most powerful radio telescope on Earth, the Areceibo dish

in Puerto Rico, in a long-distance call to our fellow galactic citizens.

I hope you can help spread the word far and wide, in any way you can ...

email, Twitter, FaceBook, whatever ... that these contests are a

serious, exciting, and meaningful way to participate in the event, that

the winning submissions will be beamed to the galaxy, and that the first

contest begins next Friday when the image representative of Planet Earth

must be taken.

For more information such as contest rules and submission requirements,

and to check out the impressive list of individuals advising this

Project, you can start at ...

         http://diamondskyproductions.com/recent/index.php#mmw

For the times on July 19 when the Earth images will be acquired and

instructions on how to convert to your local time, check out this page:

http://www.ciclops.org/view_event/193/A_Day_to_Celebrate_the_Pale_Blue_Dot

And come next Friday, don't forget to smile.

Best to all of you!

Carolyn Porco

CEO/President, Diamond Sky Productions, LLC

Boulder, CO