Introduction

In the serene village of Nuit-Saint-Georges, nestled in France's picturesque Burgundy region, lies an extraordinary connection to the cosmos. With a modest population of over 5,000, this quaint hamlet is the birthplace of the renowned 19th-century astronomer Felix Tisserand. His legacy lives on through the Tisserand crater, located in the lunar Sea of Serenity. Echoing the imaginative spirit of contemporary Jules Verne in “From the Earth to the Moon,” the village has long held a unique link to our celestial neighbor.

This lunar bond was further solidified during the Apollo 15 mission, when astronauts were gifted a wine named Cuvee Terre Lune—Lunar Earth Vintage—which inspired them to christen a crater in the town’s honor, now known as Place du Cratere Saint-Georges.

But as we embark on a new era of lunar exploration, a groundbreaking project is set to introduce yet another chapter to the tale of humanity and the moon. Titled "Sanctuary on the Moon," this ambitious international initiative aims to create a time capsule that will leave a detailed record of our present civilization for any future discoverers.

Supported by NASA, UNESCO, and the French government, the project was founded by Benoit Faiveley, another proud native of Nuit-Saint-Georges. Drawing inspiration from the famous Golden Records on the Voyager spacecraft—designed to communicate the story of humanity to any extraterrestrial life—the Sanctuary is set to craft an archive intended for our descendants millions of years into the future.

The Vision Behind the Time Capsule

The Sanctuary on the Moon aims to pack an astounding amount of information into just 24 discs, each engineered with the capacity to hold an impressive 7 billion pixels of engraved data. Crafted from sapphire, the second hardest mineral on Earth, these miniaturized resources will encapsulate diverse themes—ranging from matter and atoms to the complexities of life and biology.

Among the contents are detailed mappings of female and male genomes, providing a biological portrait of humanity. The discs will feature rich visual designs, such as images of astronauts, the moon’s phases, and maps of our place in the universe, all intended to communicate using both artistic appeal and scientific rigor.

Faiveley passionately emphasizes the importance of simplicity in countless generations, stating, “If you want to convey information to the far future, you have to go back to the basics.” Unlike modern technology, which may become obsolete, the engraved mineral plates can be read with nothing more than a magnifying glass.

Art Meets Science: A Cultural Preservation Effort

This project emphasizes not just scientific knowledge but also cultural preservation. The disc designs will incorporate elements of artistic expression, reflecting the essence of humanity. Faiveley describes it as a “triptych” that explores three focal points: “What we are, what we know, and what we create—because what we create is art.”

Experts from fields as diverse as genetics, astrophysics, and cartography have collaborated on the design of the capsule's contents. UNESCO's interests further add depth, as renderings of World Heritage Sites will also be included, showcasing a cultural tapestry of Earth.

Among the project’s most notable components is the inclusion of the mapped human genome—a landmark in scientific history that encapsulates our biological identity. Four discs will be dedicated to this topic, emphasizing the genome as a narrative of who we are as organisms.

In a heartwarming touch, these discs will even feature music—like the song “Moon Above” by Norwegian band Flunk—highlighting the inseparable nature of artistry and science.

A Message for Future Generations

Ultimately, the Sanctuary on the Moon isn't aimed at extraterrestrials; instead, it's a treasure map for humanity's descendants who may stumble upon it eons from now. It raises profound questions about how we will evolve, what remnants of our civilization will persist, and how future generations will perceive our existence.

Faiveley has expressed hope that this endeavor serves as a beacon for future explorers, comparable to how Champollion deciphered Egyptian hieroglyphics, unearthing profound insights from a lost civilization. The project transcends mere preservation; it becomes a narrative of hope, knowledge, and human spirit.

In these tumultuous times of climate change, warfare, and uncertainty, the Sanctuary stands as a poignant statement about our fragility. Yet, it is not merely a cautionary tale; it is a commitment to conveying our essence—the things that matter most. As Faiveley eloquently states, “It is good to speak to the future. It will listen.”

Prepare to witness the unravelling of our legacy—a billion pixels at a time!