Animated GIF to be beamed into space as part of alien communication effort

The Verge ^ | 6/17/13 | Jacob Kastrenakes

[LibWhacker]

In 2008 NASA decided to send one of the heights of modern art — The Beatles' 1969 track "Across the Universe" — into the cosmos. And for 2013, one of the pillars of internet folk art is preparing for takeoff: An animated GIF is about to be sent into space for the first time ever. The message will be beamed over a giant radio dish in California tomorrow as part of the inaugural transmission of Lone Signal, a project that's hoping to communicate with extraterrestrials. The GIF will be sent toward Gliese 526, a potentially habitable solar system 17.6 light years away. It should arrive there around 2031.

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The GIF features a balding man scratching his ear and has been titled "Humans watching Digital Art." Lone Signal specifically invited the GIF's creator, conceptual artist Kim Asendorf, to contribute a message for the satellite's debut transmission. If you're disappointed with what may be aliens' first impression of Earth, you have reason both for concern and relief — for a nominal cost, Lone Signal will soon allow anyone to send their message of choice out toward the stars.

[Bubba_Leroy]

[Liberty Valance]

[Dallas59]

Whut?

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

I prefer this one....

[Slyfox]

[JRios1968]

[Red Badger]

1st Alien: Look what just came in from Earth!
2nd Alien: Obviously there is absolutely NO INTELLIGENT LIFE THERE!
3rd Alien: We must STERILIZE that planet at once before it spreads the contamination even further!....

[Slyfox]

[Bubba_Leroy]

Does anyone have an animated gif for the Viking Kittens?

[Berlin_Freeper]

gun that shoots bubbles

[don-o]

for a nominal cost, Lone Signal will soon allow anyone to send their message of choice out toward the stars.

[JRios1968]

The GIF will be sent toward Gliese 526, a potentially habitable solar system 17.6 light years away. It should arrive there around 2031.

[Bubba_Leroy]

[Dallas59]

[Slyfox]

[Red Badger]

[JaguarXKE]

Somebody stop that child!!

[Boogieman]

It does remind me a bit of this:

[Jane Long]

[workerbee]