Nasa sends Beatles to aliens

The Beatles' peace anthem Across the Universe is being beamed into outer space by scientists at Nasa.

An avid fan persuaded the US space agency to do it to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the song's release.

If all goes according to plan, Nasa will transmit the Beatles tune via its deep space network at Midnight GMT.

Former Beatle Paul McCartney, who beamed his first intergalactic concert to the International Space Station in 2005, congratulated Nasa and asked them to pass on his regards to anyone else out there.

"Amazing! Well done, NASA!" he said in a statement released by the space agency.

"Send my love to the aliens. All the best, Paul."

Meanwhile, back on Earth day trippers to the European City of Culture 2008, Liverpool can spend the night in a newly opened Beatles-themed hotel.

The Hard Days Night Hotel has 110 rooms set in the heart of the Beatles Quarter in the city of their birth. It's situated a stone's throw from the Cavern Club, where it all began for the Fab Four.

The four star boutique establishment has two luxury Lennon and McCartney suites.

The Lennon room is all in white, featuring a white baby grand piano and giant pictures of the Late Beatle. The McCartney suite contains no leather in recognition of Macca's celebrity vegetarian status and has a suit of armour on display, a nod to Sir Paul's knighthood.

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.