On Monday, NASA will beam a Beatles song into deep space — 431 light years away from Earth to be exact.

“Across the Universe,” appropriately enough, is the track chosen by the U.S. space agency to undergo the intergalactic transmission toward Polaris, the North Star.

The tune will be sent through the Deep Space Network, an international network of antennas used in space exploration missions, on Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. ET.

That day will mark the 40th anniversary of the song’s recording, as well as the 50th anniversary of NASA and the 45th anniversary of the Deep Space Network.

In a message to the space agency, former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney said, “Amazing! Well done, NASA! Send my love to the aliens. All the best, Paul.”

John Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono said, “I see this as the beginning of the new age in which we will communicate with billions of planets across the universe.”

Fans have been invited to take part in the historic event by playing the song around the world at the same time that NASA is transmitting it.

Though “Across the Universe” will be the first song ever to be beamed directly into space, NASA has sent up Beatles tunes before.

McCartney played “Good Day Sunshine” for a concert in 2005 that was beamed to the International Space Station.

Astronauts in orbit have also been woken up to the sounds of “Here Comes The Sun,” “Ticket to Ride” and “A Hard Day’s Night.”








Related Stories: