Many scientists are “listening” with giant radio telescopes, hoping to catch signals coming from distant civilizations beyond Earth.

Many scientists are “listening” with giant radio telescopes, hoping to catch signals coming from distant civilizations beyond Earth. But others believe that communication with aliens could only bring disaster.

A message from the universe
After more than 60 years of searching for extraterrestrial intelligence, humanity finally received a message from space on May 24. Three of the world’s leading radio astronomy observatories have detected a signal coming from somewhere near Mars, according to Vox. Its contents have not yet been decoded.

Wait, this message isn’t actually from aliens! It is we humans who have organized the transmission, to simulate the situation of “SOS has a message from space”.

This is like a fire drill – a chance to see how we would all react if a message actually came from extraterrestrials.

Are the great powers willing to cooperate with each other? Can scientists and the public join hands to decode the message? Who will decide how we respond to aliens, or choose to “keep silent”? Will humanity make decisions democratically, or will it all be consumed by authoritarianism, cynicism and conspiracy theories?

This global “forum stage” is part of the “A Sign in Space” project of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) research organization. Artist Daniela de Paulis, along with a team of scientists, came up with the content of the encrypted message.

Anyone can try their hand at decoding and submit the results at asignin.space/the-message. But at the same time, let me tell you that you are entering into a controversial business.

SETI scientists focus primarily on radio waves, because they are easy to generate. Any young technological civilization will learn about radio waves fairly quickly – just as humans have. They can be emitted with a lot of energy, encode a lot of information inside, and can move easily through countless clouds of dust and gas. In short, they are ideal for intergalactic communications.

Should we expect or fear?
With imagination, humans have created countless alien creatures, but most of them are voracious. Acid-blooded xenomorphs just want to eat us and lay eggs in our chest cavities. The Kanamit of the Twilight Zone, with their saintly appearance, just want to fatten us up and then eat us. The list is longer.

But the biggest obsession with a fierce extraterrestrial civilization is not strange and sticky bodies, but a computer program like in the science fiction movie A for Andromeda (1961).

In the movie, no one is eaten, there is only a plot to invade the Earth and conquer humanity, but that is enough to send chills down the spine because many scientists have called the threat by the correct name. fear – a threat that will exploit our curiosity for the stars.

If super-advanced civilizations in outer space want to come here, the most effective way to “clear the way” is probably not fleets of spacecraft tearing through the Earth’s atmosphere, but mysterious pieces of information that can be obtained. sent quickly. In other words: malware from space.

In 2010, physicist Stephen Hawking spoke about the dangers of “advertising” our existence to aliens: “If aliens visit us, the result will be the same as when Columbus arrived in the Americas, an event that did not end well for the Native Americans”.

Scientists in Hawking’s “side” often argue that: aliens do not necessarily intend to use violence to harm us, they may just see us as… roadside ants. They will step on us on their way to another place, and not mind it in the slightest.

Your piece discusses the debate surrounding communication with extraterrestrial life and the various viewpoints it entails. It’s indeed a contentious and complex matter, isn’t it? While some advocate for sending signals to establish a connection, others express concerns about the potential risks involved.

It seems like this issue not only requires decision-making by some individuals but also demands intervention and regulations at the national and international levels. There’s something about what determines whether we should open the door to communicate with extraterrestrial beings or not.

The might and advancement of an extraterrestrial civilization could potentially surpass our capabilities, and making this decision requires careful consideration. Despite the risks, challenges, and uncertainties, nobody is certain about whether there is a call from extraterrestrial beings. It remains a mystery that we continue to explore and contemplate.

Firstly, we’ve excelled in hiding on Earth. According to Wandel, bio-habitable planets like Earth might be extremely common in the universe, and highly intelligent species perhaps don’t need to pay attention to just another blue marble. They might be searching for a more distinct world.

Secondly, we’ve only just learned how to emit radio signals. Our so-called “radio bubble” spans just 200 light-years. That’s a mere grain of sand in a galaxy spanning 100,000 light-years, and a universe stretching up to 94 billion light-years wide!

Moreover, even if a civilization received our signal and sent a response right now, it would be around 50 light-years away from us. That means it would take 50 years for a two-way radio message to travel at the speed of light. Hence, bidirectional greetings could take up to a century.

Wandel suggests that the “era of communication”—when we might expect two-way communication with extraterrestrials—might have to wait at least another 400 years. The “Great Silence,” as referred to by SETI researchers, could truly be broken by a “Great Greeting.”

Until then, these questions will continue to beckon answers and speculations: Are there extraterrestrials? Are they friendly? Is waiting safe and wiser than actively reaching out?

Are extraterrestrials currently eavesdropping on our calls?

The answer: if they’re on a par with us, then the world is safe, according to SETI’s study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (February 2023). But if the “neighbors” possess more advanced technology? Perhaps, but it would require significant investment. Astronomical telescopes detecting radiation between stars are akin to rain buckets outside: the larger the bucket, the more water it collects. With extraterrestrials 1,000 light-years away, only a telescope the size of the Moon could catch signals from Earth.