Extraterrestrial

Non-human voices in the depths: a blueprint for alien contact ?

By T.K. Randall
June 12, 2025 ·  3 comments

Could the behavior of whales help guide our efforts to find ET ? Image Credit: ESO / M. Zamani Efforts to scour the heavens for evidence of alien life have typically focused on listening out for radio signals or looking for the 'technosignatures' of alien civilizations around distant stars, but now SETI (the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) has found an analogue for alien communication much closer to home and it could play a vital role in aiding the hunt for alien life.

The research in question concerns mysterious bubble rings created by humpback whales - a phenomenon that has, until recently, been attributed to the animals' mating rituals.

According to SETI's researchers, however, these bubble rings may actually be an attempt by the whales to communicate with humans and they may have been trying to talk to us for years.

"They are blowing bubble rings in our direction in an apparent attempt to playfully interact, observe our response, and/or engage in some form of communication," said study co-lead author Dr Fred Sharpe from the University of California-Davis.By looking back through recorded examples of this phenomenon, the researchers discovered multiple instances of whales creating these bubble rings while approaching boats and exhibiting playful, relaxed behavior - indicating a legitimate attempt to communicate.

The rings could simply be the whales' way of saying "hi there, let's chat".

SETI is now using this concept to help scour the universe for signs of an equivalent act by an extraterrestrial civilization that may be trying to attract our attention in much the same way.

The findings could also help scientists determine how many alien civilizations might be out there.

"By integrating our findings into the broader context of Drake's Equation, we aspire to advance our understanding of the factors influencing the emergence of communicative intelligence in extraterrestrial civilizations," the team wrote.

Source: Mail Online | Comments (3)

Tags: SETI, Alien, Whale