Considering the aliens are examining an interstellar space probe with manufactured materials and systems, perhaps they could intelligently conclude that the disc isn't there for any other purpose than to contain information?
Going from memory, the plate defines a base unit of measurement based on the frequency of the Hydrogen atom (lower right). Hopefully every space-travelling civilization has got that one down on paper.
Then it goes into how to play the record back (the speed is drawn around the edge of the record), then how to demodulate the waves, then how to convert the data into scanlines and plot them in a square and get to the calibration circle (middle of the disc).
It's kind of quaint that we sent this record of civilization out as gold-plated LP record. Very 70's.
> It's kind of quaint that we sent this record of civilization out as gold-plated LP record. Very 70's.
Now, we'd probably just send an iPad with instructions for recharging it (or a solar charger). Or even better, just send an e-ink Kindle... just make sure to turn it off first.
