First Major Search for the Existence of Other Intelligent Life in the Universe

spaceref.com ^ | 12 Feb 03 | staff

[RightWhale]

First Major Search for the Existence of Other Intelligent Life in the Universe

A NEWS BROADCAST FROM OVER 50 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES FROM PLANET EARTH TO THE STARS TO BE LED OFF BY INTERSTELLAR AMBASSADOR HUGH DOWNS

Similar to the pioneering efforts made by SETI (The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) and other scientific groups around the world, which only listen for signs of life in outer space, this historic event will actually reach out for other intelligent life in the universe by broadcasting high-powered deep space radio transmissions. "Despite modern telecommunications, only once in the history of humanity has a high-powered message been sent in the direction of other worlds---and that 1974 message was limited to only a few scientists," says Charles M. Chafer, president of Team Encounter, LLC. "This mission is another of humanity's early efforts to accomplish perhaps its greatest social, technological and spiritual imperative: First Contact."

On February 14, 2003, Team Encounter, LLC (Houston, Texas) will transmit a series of interstellar radio messages on behalf of the worldwide public, using a 230-foot diameter radio astronomy dish (one of the world's largest steerable radio astronomy dishes) at the Evpatriya Radio Astronomy Facility in the Ukraine. Called the Cosmic Call, the broadcast will be aimed at target stars deemed likely prospects to harbour life supporting planets as selected by a team of scientific experts. The messages will consist of multiple parts: Part 1, designed by the science team, will involve anticryptic messages conveying detailed information about Earth and humanity; Part 2, will include a re-broadcast of the 1974 Arecibo radio transmission, and Part 3 will consist of the names and personal messages of the Team Encounter participants. These participants can also send their messages, photos, and even symbolically travel themselves (in the form of a hair sample) out of the solar system aboard the Team Encounter spacecraft in the year 2006. This historic voyage will use a state-of-the-art solar sail to power "Humanity's First Starship" out of the solar system.

. . .

"The message is constructed to induce a reply," says Yvan Dutil, a Canadian astrophysicist involved in the message conception. "We show we are curious and ask some questions."

. . .

[RightWhale]

They already know that we are curious. "I Love Lucy" established that. It appears there are NO space aliens. But if there were, this would be a bad idea. They might decide they want us for our brains after they get this super-intelligent message. They want us for our brains so they can use them to grease their machinery.

[bobi]

"The message is constructed to induce a reply," says Yvan Dutil, a Canadian astrophysicist involved in the message conception. "We show we are curious and ask some questions."

Just make sure they include the "YOU ARE WITH US OR AGAINST US" message.

I wonder what kind of reply we would get.

[anobjectivist]

Just don't be pointing the radar at france or the signal will be lost in the darkness of idiots.

[DannyTN]

I wonder what kind of reply we would get. The Franconians will surrender immediately if they haven't already surrendered to other beings that are worse. The Germaniacs will follow the Franconians lead. The Russionions will be obstinate and probably refuse to contact us back. The danger of course is that a Saddomite or a Koroman picks up the message and attempts to deathray our planet.

[Luna]

By the time there's a reply (if there's a reply), we'll all be long dead. And what happens, while calling these intelligent beings, we get a busy signal? Then what? We could be playing phone tag for millenia!

[Ichneumon]

I wonder what kind of reply we would get.

[LiteKeeper]

read later

[Hebrews 11:6]

There is plenty of intelligent life in the universe. To learn about it, read your Bible.

[weikel]

Hopefully they don't pick up our soaps or reality TV after picking up some of the good old Nick at Nite stuff. They might decide we have a dangerous stupidity virus and need to be wiped out for the good of the galaxy.

[Samurai_Jack]

Hopefully they don't pick up our soaps or reality TV

How Embarassing is that...

What are we doing looking out there for intelligent life? Have we given up on the search here on planet earth?

[weikel]

As the railroaded Congressman Jim Trafficant( only Dem I ever liked nationally) said beam me up there is no intelligent life in Congress on this planet.

[A Navy Vet]

What a waste of time and money for a feel good project that has no payoff. I'd rather see all efforts turned toward the moon and near planets to cultivate their natural resources.

[Poohbah]

"Hopefully they don't pick up our soaps or reality TV after picking up some of the good old Nick at Nite stuff. They might decide we have a dangerous stupidity virus and need to be wiped out for the good of the galaxy."

EXCERPT FROM MANKIND'S FIRST CONTACT WITH EXTRATERRESTRIAL LIFE:

Alien: "Hello! We are from Aldebaran IV. My name is Grivik. We are always happy to meet other intelligent life forms. What planet are you from?"

Astronaut aboard the ISS: "We are from Earth, Sol III."

Alien: "Uh...just a moment, please."

(Voice shifts, apparently talking to someone away from microphone.)

Alien: "Hey, Mrolis! These people are from Sol III, Earth. Do they count as intelligent life?"

Second Alien: "Are you CRAZY? Hell, no, they don't! Good grief, even those slugs on Epsilon Eridani A-XI are smarter than those people from Sol III! Let's get out of here before the zvachi hits the luwip!"

Third Alien: "Damnit, Grivik, HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU TO USE THE MUTE BUTTON WHEN YOU ASK THAT QUESTION?"

[Poohbah]

"What are we doing looking out there for intelligent life? Have we given up on the search here on planet earth?"

After seeing Sheila Jackson-Lee asking about whether the Mars Rover could see the flag left by the Apollo astronauts...wouldn't YOU give up?

[CCWoody]

Let me know when Natasha Henstridge answers?

[ErnBatavia]

Let's just hope the first words picked up out there are:

"and broadcasting from high atop the EIB Building"...

[sit-rep]

Lol... That would be a bi$%^ wouldn't it??!!??!!

It's like the wild. A young fledgling chirping away for all to hear and WOMP... an aligator swallows him whole...

SR

[Brett66]

We should broadcast StarWars to them to give them the impression we have several deathstars waiting to annihilate them if they want to start something. :)

[RightWhale]

What a waste of time and money for a feel good project that has no payoff.

We have come to expect such from the Saganistas. First they instigate the end of the moon landings, then they expect us to be energized over a solar-sail spaceship that will reach Alpha Centauri in a gazillion years.

[f.Christian]

Why do theses super intelligent alien life forms always appear to some arkansas pig farmer . . . arthur c clark !