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Extraterrestrial

First interstellar message to aliens turns 44

By T.K. Randall
November 16, 2018 · Comment icon 8 comments

The message's target is over 25,000 light years away. Image Credit: NASA/ESA/ESO
On November 16th 1974, the Arecibo Observatory sent a message of greeting towards globular star cluster M13.
Put together by a group of scientists including Dr Frank Drake and astronomer Carl Sagan, the message contained information about the Earth, the solar system and the human race.

Divided up in to seven sections, the data included the numbers one to ten, the atomic numbers of several common elements, the number of nucleotides in DNA, a diagram of the solar system and a graphical representation of a human, among other things.
It was broadcast via frequency modulated radio waves towards M13 - a globular star cluster situated 25,000 light years away - to mark the remodelling of the Arecibo radio telescope.

Due to the extreme distances involved and the sheer amount of time it would take to get there, the message was intended more as a technical demonstration than a serious attempt to contact aliens.

Even so, it represented humanity's first attempt to reach out across the stars.



Source: Independent | Comments (8)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #1 Posted by Seti42 7 years ago
Too bad it was intercepted already and they're on their way...
Comment icon #2 Posted by paperdyer 7 years ago
Don't worry, they'll be stopped at the US border.
Comment icon #3 Posted by AllPossible 7 years ago
Carl sagan was brilliant. Smart and humble, which is a rare combo
Comment icon #4 Posted by sci-nerd 7 years ago
According to google it's 22,180 LY away, so we can expect a reply in the year 46,335-ish (if there is someone at home, when it arrives at M13 in the year 24,155-ish!). My advice: Don't wait up.
Comment icon #5 Posted by jbondo 7 years ago
I think we covered the gambit in this article's thread: Laser 'beacon' could be used to attract aliens What really gets my goat is that Sagan was pretty much all in on ET's and UFO's, until the gov got to him and turned him into a  (probably paid) shill against all that foolish thinking. Of course, maybe that was a good thing, because my stance on reaching out to ET's is pretty well covered in that other thread, as both 'Earl.Of.Trumps' argued our position.
Comment icon #6 Posted by toast 7 years ago
Have never heard about that CT.
Comment icon #7 Posted by Alien Origins 7 years ago
Is this a statement you can back with facts? 
Comment icon #8 Posted by jbondo 7 years ago
You can see the progression in these articles. http://www.jasoncolavito.com/blog/review-of-the-sagan-conspiracy-by-donald-l-zygutis-part-1 https://www.scientificexploration.org/forum/carl-sagan’s-philosophy-on-ufos-some-discussion https://www.collective-evolution.com/2016/02/21/shocking-insinuation-about-carl-sagan-extraterrestrials-made-by-x-nasa-astronaut/ https://alien-ufo-sightings.com/2017/05/carl-sagan-knew-ufos-real-confidant-reveals/


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