A New Brunswick writer is set to have her literary work showcased on the moon soon. Jennifer Shelby’s compilation of short stories, named “Borrowed Wings and other stories,” has been chosen to be included in the Lunar Codex project. The Lunar Codex is an initiative under NASA’s Artemis program that archives cultural works worldwide for space travel.
Shelby expressed her excitement, mentioning that seeing the moon now fills her with a sense of joy. However, the physical book will not be simply placed on the lunar surface. Instead, the stories will be inscribed on a square of quartz or nickel, resembling the compact etching of significant texts like the Bible or book trilogies, only viewable under a microscope.
The technology used is comparable to microfilm but with a metal base, blending art and physics in a unique manner. Samuel Peralta, a physicist and author from Canada, developed the NanoFiche technology and founded the Lunar Codex to uplift artists affected by the pandemic. Peralta revealed that the Lunar Codex comprises artworks from numerous countries and Indigenous nations.
Private companies involved in lunar landings offer space for individuals to place items on the moon for a considerable fee. Peralta mentioned that one kilogram of weight costs $1 million, which is why he shrinks the artwork onto nickel for longevity on the moon’s surface. Nickel’s durability for billions of years in the lunar environment is another reason for its selection.
Peralta stated that the Lunar Codex has planned ten missions, with five already launched. The upcoming mission this winter will carry Shelby’s work. For Shelby, the prospect of her stories being part of the Lunar Codex mirrors the magical essence of her own narratives. Describing her writing as modern-day fairytales, she shared that her stories have appeared in various publications.
Following an email exchange in 2022, where Peralta sought permission to archive her book on the moon, Shelby’s work is now slated for inclusion this winter. Although she has had time to acclimate to the idea, she admitted feeling a mix of excitement and disbelief. Living in Riverside-Albert near the Bay of Fundy, renowned for its dark skies, gazing at the moon evokes a surreal feeling for Shelby.
She is already contemplating a story inspired by this unique experience, drawing inspiration from a past incident involving the accidental release of tardigrades on the moon. Shelby humorously remarked that perhaps the tardigrades might evolve to read human stories in the future, adding an imaginative twist to the lunar adventure.
