Every day, telescopes situated in different parts of the globe peer into space in the
hopes of detecting a signal.
Our astronomers have always wished to capture a message from others who may be living in
space, and as excited as they are, they are also terrified.
Think about getting a response like this: "Hello human, I received your message.
How can we fly on Earth, on Earth, how can we fly on Earth?"
Regardless, astronomers continually send messages to space, and all they've received so far
is a series of unrecognizable noises like this.
However, on April 29, 2019, the Parkes Radio Telescope in Australia recorded an unusual
radio signal from our solar system's nearest neighbor, the Proxima Centauri star.
And today, we'll discuss what was in the Proxima Centauri signal.
Additionally, we’ll see if those unrecognizable noises are truly messages from extraterrestrial
civilizations?
Are you curious about the signals we send into space?
What would happen if the aliens responded?
Why are communications from space so difficult for humans to comprehend?
This is going to be a true space journey.
So sit back and relax as we examine signals from space.
We'll begin by learning how astronomers obtain signals from our own galaxy and other galaxies.
You could be thinking if there is something similar to a massive radio receiver somewhere,
with scientists simply clicking and twisting the switch in the hopes of picking up an alien
radio station.
Actually, it's pretty much identical to that, the only difference is that rather than a
radio receiver, we have forty-two satellite dishes situated in different regions, measuring
a diameter of twenty feet each.
The Allen Telescope Array in Northern California is one example.
This array was created specifically for SETI projects or the Search for Extraterrestrial
Intelligence.
Other radio telescopes are also used in the SETI programs, such as the Parkes Radio Telescope
in Australia, which recorded BLC 1, the signal from Proxima Centauri.
It's important to understand that Proxima Centauri isn't just the closest star to our
solar system; it also has two exoplanets around it that make it more interesting.
Proxima b is one of the exoplanets of Proxima Centauri that is in the Habitable Zone.
When an exoplanet is in the Habitable Zone, it indicates that it could support life.
With this in mind, it's clear that a technologically advanced civilization is required for us to
receive a radio transmission from space.
Then, what’s next after the Parkes Radio Telescope obtained the BLC 1 signal?
When signals from outer space are recorded, the radio signals from Earth, as well as other
interference, are deleted in the final recording.
After that, researchers study the recordings.
For nearly a year, the BLC 1 signal has been archived, and it was only being studied again
in October 2020.
This is what the BLC 1 signal sounds like.
Yes, that is not how we expect the alien communication should be.
So, what makes it really unusual from other signals captured?
Researchers were able to isolate five repeating signals at a frequency of 980.2 thousandths
of a megahertz from the 26 hours of data.
With this signal, it was still impossible to encrypt a complete message, such as coordinates
or information concerning alien species.
It would just be a “hello.”
Do you ever wonder what kind of signals we receive from space?
For everyone, space appears to be completely silent and lifeless, yet radio telescopes
record an enormous quantity of noise from quasars, pulsars, interstellar gas, and interference
from Earth.
However, out of these noises, what astronomers need is the so-called narrowband signals.
Astronomers are looking for these signals since only technological objects can create
narrowband emissions.
At various locations in orbit, radio telescopes record tens of hours of data.
The systems then process the entries, removing any excess and non-narrowband signals.
And, in most situations, nothing is left after the filtering process.
The signal from Proxima Centauri, however, is different.
Automatic filters can't remove the noise.
Furthermore, the signal shifted over time, as if it were coming from an orbiting object.
Scientists must re-record the signal in order to have sufficient evidence that this is something
they should study.
However, Proxima Centauri has not emitted the same signal.
But do not lose hope, because aside from the BLC 1, there are signals that the researchers
recorded not once, but multiple times over the course of several days.
Examples of this are the FRB radio bursts or the Fast Radio Bursts signals, which astronomers
obtained in 2012.
As they were studying its source for five years, they realized that this radio burst
has its own schedule, lasting for about 90 Earth days then disappearing from radar for
67 days before appearing again.
This signal might be a broadcast from an extraterrestrial culture seeking to communicate or waiting
for a response.
In other assumptions, the signal could be a message sent into space only to let the
world know they exist.
However, even if there are about 700 FRB signals detected, scientists have no idea what could
have generated them.
They could only assume that it could be from a magnetar.
A magnetar is a neutron star that has a strong magnetic field.
The question is: could it be the signal from the extraterrestrial civilization that we've
been waiting for?
We are frustrated because we do not receive the space transmissions or space messages
that we want, but the truth is we are also transmitting unclear and odd messages into
space.
What messages do we send into space?
Is it likely that aliens could decode our messages?
Before we answer that, I just want to remind you that if you've made it this far in the
video, you're clearly enjoying it.
Give it a like, subscribe so you don't miss anything, and let us know what you think in
the comments section.
In 1974, the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico delivered the first radio communication
into space from Earth.
The message is encoded with a binary code that was broadcast as a radio transmission
by scientists.
This is what the image will look like if the receivers correctly arranged the bits.
It contains the information the aliens needed so they can be aware of our existence.
Mathematics is claimed to be the only language that can be understood in space.
Because of it, the message will be distinct from natural space signals.
This implies that an extraterrestrial civilization will be able to detect messages no matter
what.
However, astronomers have never duplicated the messages that they sent.
We can only hope that aliens are paying attention and live in the M13 cluster, where the signal
was sent.
Several other signals were sent from Earth through Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 in addition
to the Arecibo message.
These are the spacecraft that flew in 1972 and 1973 to investigate Jupiter and Saturn
in the hopes of informing aliens about our existence.
Plaques depicting human distances from our solar system to 14 pulsars and the galaxy's
core were attached to each spacecraft.
The most famous message from humankind into space is the so-called voyager golden record
that contains greetings in fifty-five languages, musical compositions, natural noises, and
images of humans from around the world.
It also includes a one-hour brainwave recording of Ann Druyan, thinking about world history,
and a speech by Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States.
We have no idea if extraterrestrial beings would really comprehend it.
We don’t know if NASA's instructions on how to play the recording could be helpful
to them.
In fact, the images of humans may be as incomprehensible to them as fast radio bursts are to us.
Furthermore, we have no idea how extraterrestrial civilizations will respond if they receive
our messages.
Let’s assume, however, that aliens got Voyager 1 and were so intelligent that they found
out how to listen to the golden record.
Jimmy Carter's speech would help them learn how human language works, and they might even
record the message that will be sent to us in our language.
They might even follow the instructions on the record package and trace the solar system's
location before sending us a radio signal.
What would humanity do in that case?
Well, for sure, people would start to panic.
Some people might think of another Hollywood movie screenplay for an extraterrestrial invasion
while scientists were gleefully interpreting the signal.
Everything we launched into space was only to show other beings what we're capable of.
Let's imagine the government sets up a few billion dollars to send communications to
alien civilizations.
What do you think we need to send into space in order to be understood and given the exact
answer?
What if the problem has all along been that scientists have been using the wrong strategy?
What if the answer is to send something into space that aliens could not ignore?
Consider broadcasting the planet's loud instrumentals, music, and songs at regular intervals.
For sure, extraterrestrial beings would be disturbed and would want to stop it, eventually
contacting us.
So, what do you think?
What message do you propose sending into space that the extraterrestrial civilization will
not be able to ignore?
Let us know in the comments section.
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