Keep in mind that the receivers used for SETI are designed to find constant or slowly pulsed carrier signals… something like a flute tone against the noise of a waterfall.
In order to understand anything that E.T. might be saying to us, we'll have to build far larger instruments to look for the modulation of his signal. It's more than likely that, once a detection is made, the money will become available to build this far larger instrument.
Until we can measure the modulation, all we'll know is that there is intelligence out there. We can pinpoint the spot on the sky where the signal is coming from, and slow changes in its frequency will tell us something about the rotation and orbital motion of E.T.'s home planet.
Even with this limited information, the detection of alien intelligence will be an enormously big story. We'll know we're not alone, and we're not the smartest things in the universe.
Then what? Suppose we get the message? Will we understand it? No one knows, of course. It's conceivable that an advanced and altruistic civilization will send us simple pictures and other information.
Then what?
Full Version: -What happens if we find something?
Unexplained Mysteries Discussion Forums > Unexplained Mysteries > Extraterrestrial Life & The UFO Phenomenon
QUOTE(DEBUNKER @ Sep 17 2005, 09:37 AM)
Keep in mind that the receivers used for SETI are designed to find constant or slowly pulsed carrier signals… something like a flute tone against the noise of a waterfall.
In order to understand anything that E.T. might be saying to us, we'll have to build far larger instruments to look for the modulation of his signal. It's more than likely that, once a detection is made, the money will become available to build this far larger instrument.
Until we can measure the modulation, all we'll know is that there is intelligence out there. We can pinpoint the spot on the sky where the signal is coming from, and slow changes in its frequency will tell us something about the rotation and orbital motion of E.T.'s home planet.
Even with this limited information, the detection of alien intelligence will be an enormously big story. We'll know we're not alone, and we're not the smartest things in the universe.
Then what? Suppose we get the message? Will we understand it? No one knows, of course. It's conceivable that an advanced and altruistic civilization will send us simple pictures and other information.
Then what?
[right][snapback]848356[/snapback][/right]
In order to understand anything that E.T. might be saying to us, we'll have to build far larger instruments to look for the modulation of his signal. It's more than likely that, once a detection is made, the money will become available to build this far larger instrument.
Until we can measure the modulation, all we'll know is that there is intelligence out there. We can pinpoint the spot on the sky where the signal is coming from, and slow changes in its frequency will tell us something about the rotation and orbital motion of E.T.'s home planet.
Even with this limited information, the detection of alien intelligence will be an enormously big story. We'll know we're not alone, and we're not the smartest things in the universe.
Then what? Suppose we get the message? Will we understand it? No one knows, of course. It's conceivable that an advanced and altruistic civilization will send us simple pictures and other information.
Then what?
[right][snapback]848356[/snapback][/right]
I would imagine the message would have some form of diagram depicting their "solar system" with planets and orbital path's..?
And of course they would have the universal language 'music'..! Maybe they've got their own wacko jacko on Zeta..? What a horrible nasty thought..?
A well-known signal picked up in 1977 by SETI researchers at Ohio State University is known as the "Wow" signal.
However, it was never seen a second time, and is presumed to be unidentified interference.
Not the "unidentified=Aliens" deal most UFO belivers fantasies about.
However, it was never seen a second time, and is presumed to be unidentified interference.
Not the "unidentified=Aliens" deal most UFO belivers fantasies about.
If an advanced alien race heard our recorded message and observed our planet first I doubt they'd even send one back. They might just notice the pure idiocy of our planet and decide to not even waste their time with us. If I had looked down and seen what was going on I'd just wait for us to wipe ourselves out and then come down to investigate further without the mess we humans have created.
The question I have is, if we do indeed receive a signal that indicates intelligent life elsewhere, will we respond to them? Now, I've looked around the SETI site and although I see a great deal of information and even some discussion about contact, I don't see where they discuss the issue of whether we will choose to "out" ourselves (remember, if we "shout back" they will know our location) and respond directly back to ET!
I recall reading somewhere (if anyone can corroborate this, I'd appreciate it) where there was an acual rule that SETI was not to respond to any confirmed ET signal until some type of clearance was given. Anyone know anything about this?
I recall reading somewhere (if anyone can corroborate this, I'd appreciate it) where there was an acual rule that SETI was not to respond to any confirmed ET signal until some type of clearance was given. Anyone know anything about this?
QUOTE(Baldwin @ Sep 17 2005, 12:33 PM)
If an advanced alien race heard our recorded message and observed our planet first I doubt they'd even send one back. They might just notice the pure idiocy of our planet and decide to not even waste their time with us.
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Lol i like that point, it does make sense. If they saw that they would probably just laugh and joke about our accomplishments.
And you never know lilly, i am not sure what they are even officially allowed to tell us on the spot either
QUOTE(Lilly @ Sep 17 2005, 03:34 PM)
I recall reading somewhere (if anyone can corroborate this, I'd appreciate it) where there was an acual rule that SETI was not to respond to any confirmed ET signal until some type of clearance was given. Anyone know anything about this?[right][snapback]848492[/snapback][/right]
[link] - Note 8.
QUOTE(Daedalus @ Sep 17 2005, 04:01 PM)
QUOTE(Lilly @ Sep 17 2005, 03:34 PM)
I recall reading somewhere (if anyone can corroborate this, I'd appreciate it) where there was an acual rule that SETI was not to respond to any confirmed ET signal until some type of clearance was given. Anyone know anything about this?[right][snapback]848492[/snapback][/right]
[link] - Note 8.
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Thanks, that's what I remember reading.
This part of #9 is also quite informative, regarding release of information:
QUOTE
Should credible evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence be discovered, an international committee of scientists and other experts should be established to serve as a focal point for continuing analysis of all observational evidence collected in the aftermath of the discovery, and also to provide advice on the release of information to the public. This committee should be constituted from representatives of each of the international institutions listed above and such other members as the committee may deem necessary. To facilitate the convocation of such a committee at some unknown time in the future, the SETI Committee of the International Academy of Astronautics should initiate and maintain a current list of willing representatives from each of the international institutions listed above, as well as other individuals with relevant skills, and should make that list continuously available through the Secretariat of the International Academy of Astronautics.
Interesting, no mention of government agencies or the military.
Of course there is no mention of the military. If the signal WAS recived, we would make some kind of agreement for uniting the worldwide military for potentional threat (not likely, just fiction). So, we would probably try to unite as many countrys into one or few continental, like US, EU, maybe some Asian.....we don't have an ability to send messages into far open space, that was never built, and the alien message would probably be very old, due to the traveling.....
So if we, like recive a transmission from Alpha Centauri or something like that, the message would be quite old, and would take some time for us to figure it out and to reply, which would too, take a long time to reach the alien planet. So, SETI in fact can't do much, but to listen.
Viva La SETI@home.
So if we, like recive a transmission from Alpha Centauri or something like that, the message would be quite old, and would take some time for us to figure it out and to reply, which would too, take a long time to reach the alien planet. So, SETI in fact can't do much, but to listen.
Viva La SETI@home.
What happens if they do detect a signal?
Dr. Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer at the SETI Institute.
The first thing to do is to confirm that it’s truly extraterrestrial. Remember, with tens of millions of channels and antennas that are among the world’s largest, SETI picks up signals frequently. An important test to verify that a signal is truly extraterrestrial would be a confirming observation at another radio telescope.
Once an artificial signal is confirmed as being of extraterrestrial intelligent origin, the discovery will be announced as quickly and as widely as possible.
A Declaration of Principles Concerning Activities Following the Detection of Extraterrestrial Intelligence, endorsed by six international space organizations, describes how to make such an announcement.
The SETI Institute has a plan of action that resembles the Declaration of Principles. There will be no secrecy, and indeed getting the word out quickly is important, as there would be an urgent need to have astronomers world-wide monitor any detected signal, 24 hours a day.
Dr. Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer at the SETI Institute.
The first thing to do is to confirm that it’s truly extraterrestrial. Remember, with tens of millions of channels and antennas that are among the world’s largest, SETI picks up signals frequently. An important test to verify that a signal is truly extraterrestrial would be a confirming observation at another radio telescope.
Once an artificial signal is confirmed as being of extraterrestrial intelligent origin, the discovery will be announced as quickly and as widely as possible.
A Declaration of Principles Concerning Activities Following the Detection of Extraterrestrial Intelligence, endorsed by six international space organizations, describes how to make such an announcement.
The SETI Institute has a plan of action that resembles the Declaration of Principles. There will be no secrecy, and indeed getting the word out quickly is important, as there would be an urgent need to have astronomers world-wide monitor any detected signal, 24 hours a day.
Future space observatories like the Terrestrial Planet Finder is going to be vital,one never knows what we’ll find.
Remember the 1996 announcement by researchers claiming to find evidence of ancient microbes inside a Martian meteorite ALH 84001, which sent shockwaves through media and scientific circles at the time.
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/sola...eor_020514.html
The real question is, how common are Earth-like planets?"
Remember the 1996 announcement by researchers claiming to find evidence of ancient microbes inside a Martian meteorite ALH 84001, which sent shockwaves through media and scientific circles at the time.
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/sola...eor_020514.html
The real question is, how common are Earth-like planets?"
QUOTE(Baldwin @ Sep 17 2005, 12:33 PM)
If an advanced alien race heard our recorded message and observed our planet first I doubt they'd even send one back. They might just notice the pure idiocy of our planet and decide to not even waste their time with us. If I had looked down and seen what was going on I'd just wait for us to wipe ourselves out and then come down to investigate further without the mess we humans have created.
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Oh come on. Aliens were probably no better when they were at a comparable phase of development. This sort of thing smacks of religion-the notion that man is inherently evil compared to the "angels" above. One makes mistakes and learns from them.
QUOTE(starman2003 @ Sep 19 2005, 10:54 AM)
QUOTE(Baldwin @ Sep 17 2005, 12:33 PM)
If an advanced alien race heard our recorded message and observed our planet first I doubt they'd even send one back. They might just notice the pure idiocy of our planet and decide to not even waste their time with us. If I had looked down and seen what was going on I'd just wait for us to wipe ourselves out and then come down to investigate further without the mess we humans have created.
[right][snapback]848449[/snapback][/right]
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Oh come on. Aliens were probably no better when they were at a comparable phase of development. This sort of thing smacks of religion-the notion that man is inherently evil compared to the "angels" above. One makes mistakes and learns from them.
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I agree with starman,surley travelers between starsystems have some experience in exocultures.
I honestly don't think they will tell us if they found anything. Not only would it be a major problem because it'd debunk religion but a lot of people would panick. If they are out there, our government already knows and is keeping quiet about it.
QUOTE(Discordia @ Sep 19 2005, 04:27 PM) [snapback]851310[/snapback]
I honestly don't think they will tell us if they found anything. Not only would it be a major problem because it'd debunk religion but a lot of people would panick. If they are out there, our government already knows and is keeping quiet about it.
What happens if they do detect a signal?
Dr. Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer at the SETI Institute.
"The first thing to do is to confirm that it’s truly extraterrestrial. Remember, with tens of millions of channels and antennas that are among the world’s largest, SETI picks up signals frequently. An important test to verify that a signal is truly extraterrestrial would be a confirming observation at another radio telescope.
Once an artificial signal is confirmed as being of extraterrestrial intelligent origin, the discovery will be announced as quickly and as widely as possible.
A Declaration of Principles Concerning Activities Following the Detection of Extraterrestrial Intelligence, endorsed by six international space organizations, describes how to make such an announcement.
The SETI Institute has a plan of action that resembles the Declaration of Principles. There will be no secrecy, and indeed getting the word out quickly is important, as there would be an urgent need to have astronomers world-wide monitor any detected signal, 24 hours a day".
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