Are We Ready for First Contact? Scientists Predict Aliens Could Reach Earth Soon
Time to put down the tin foil hats as the encounter is closer than ever. The question is, are we truly ready for the first contact? A recent data analysis showed that humanity can contact an alien race by 2029.
Alien communication is possible through the deep space radio waves from Earth. Researchers from the University of California’s Los Angeles and Berkeley campuses conducted the study.
They compiled a list of planets and stars that can detect Earth’s signals within the next century. The researchers figured that the first return message could come as early as six years from today.
A UC Berkeley astronomer and lead researcher, Howard Isaacson, stated that this popular idea is from Carl Sagan. He used it as a plot line in the movie “Contact.”
Aliens could contact Earth in the near future, according to scientists https://t.co/i4EuVbf5ns pic.twitter.com/Ypix2RnKGk
— New York Post (@nypost) April 27, 2023
Researchers have been using the laws of physics to quickly identify how they can send back signals resounding from NASA’s Deep Space Network, creating some critical insights about travel time.
In addition, lead author Reilly Derrick of UCLA said the study provides the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) researchers with a more concise group of stars to concentrate on.
This list of stars can assist radio astronomers in listening for early signals while directing radio telescopes in the stars’ direction.
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However, some experts expressed concerns about this idea. Penn State astronomer Macy Huston said, “If a response were to be sent, our ability to detect it would depend on many factors.”
She stated this would include “how long or often we monitor the star for a response, and how long or often the return signal is transmitted.”
Jean-Luc Margot, also a UCLA radio astronomer, thinks that “Our puny and infrequent transmissions are unlikely to yield a detection of humanity by extraterrestrials.”
Aliens could contact Earth by 2029 https://t.co/ElTbJz5EaY pic.twitter.com/j3vTTUQFZL
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) April 27, 2023
While communicating with aliens is exciting, some experts have noted that the human ability to detect any response would depend on certain factors.
These factors include how often or how long we monitor the star for any answer. Or, it could be the duration of the signal’s transmission.
Are we ready for first contact with aliens?
As scientists and governments continue to make efforts in space study and exploration of extraterrestrial life, they might also be ready for future contact.
However, there is also a possibility that aliens might not want to communicate with us. In addition, they could also have wide variations of communications that humans might not understand.
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It is still difficult to assess whether Earth is ready for its visitors or to communicate with them. But with recent technological advancements, almost anything is now possible.
In conclusion, humanity may have contact with an alien race by 2029, but it’s uncertain. This would depend on the new list of stars compilation in which astronomers can listen for signals. Nonetheless, this groundbreaking research gives exciting possibilities for future space exploration.
