SETI urged to fess up over alien signals

Alien hunters today pounded the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute with e-mails and phone calls, following claims made this weekend that the organization has covered up the detection of signals from space.

Allegations of a SETI cover up were made last night on the fringe-friendly Coast to Coast radio show hosted by Art Bell.

View: Full Article | Source: The Register

muahaha, and why should they cover up smth like that?

muahaha, and why should they cover up smth like that?

who knows?

maybe theyre like the gov and want to cover it up also

This is credible because...?

This is credible because...?

Because people want it to be.

Anyone up seconding my nomination of George Noory and Art Bell as "Tin-Foil Hat Messiahs"?

Tonight's show: How the Weekly World News is the one light in the journalistic world's darkness!

You don't really think that they would actually come right out and tell us do you? I mean, what would be the implications? Looking at the species as a whole; I'm guessin' we couldn't handle the truth...

who knows?

maybe theyre like the gov and want to cover it up also

aaah, THATS WHY...

Can't stop laughing every time I hear about this GOVERNMENT who keeps covering up the alien visits to our planet...

naw it's not the government that covers it up. it's the religious fanatics, aliens cant exist for their god to exist, cause if they did a whole slew of questions would come up. like, are we really special if there are several different species of life out there? Does jesus just move planet to planet to die foe each civilization? so on and so on....

naw it's not the government that covers it up. it's the religious fanatics, aliens cant exist for their god to exist, cause if they did a whole slew of questions would come up. like, are we really special if there are several different species of life out there? Does jesus just move planet to planet to die foe each civilization? so on and so on....

In this case, I don't think anything was covered up because nothing happened.

But yes, that is a valid reason to try to keep the discovery of alien life quiet, if it ever happens.

There's actually a thread on exactly that some where around here.

Kick a$$ name by the way! Did you call Papi's home run last night? Such a sure thing!

Yankees Suck!

naw it's not the government that covers it up. it's the religious fanatics, aliens cant exist for their god to exist, cause if they did a whole slew of questions would come up. like, are we really special if there are several different species of life out there? Does jesus just move planet to planet to die foe each civilization? so on and so on....

So the programs like SETI and organizations like NASA are controlled by Vatican or smth? Or there is some ancient order that keeps the truth hidden? like c'mon...

You don't really think that they would actually come right out and tell us do you? I mean, what would be the implications? Looking at the species as a whole; I'm guessin' we couldn't handle the truth... hmm.gif

Of course they would tell everyone. In fact, they would not even have to bother. If SETI would find some signal the press would be crawling all over them. It would be one of (if not The) biggest findings in human history...To think otherwise is just naive and childish. (I sense too much X Files in ur blood lol)

Edited August 1, 2006 by Shuriken

It said that some one esly tryed to hide it by jaming the signal. It could have been any one. I think it was most likely the gov. They also mite of scared them in to hid the info. Try and get some of the new porgams to repoter this. I think some thing like this should be reported or know one will her about it. Just what the gov. wonts.

It would be one of (if not The) biggest findings in human history...

No doubt...Western societies could handle the news, Far-eastern societies could handle the news, however there are alot of 'bass-ackward' societies we have on this planet that could not handle the news that we are not alone and not the center of the universe. It would be chaotic for awhile..(But at least the Israel-Hezbolla crap would take a distant back seat to this).

I think if SETI's found anything at all, we would know about it pretty soon after they verified whatever it was. First of all, it's their job. Secondly, FUNDING. You think they're going to keep quiet if they find something that justifies the program's entire existence? OF course not. If they've found anything at all and are holding back, it's to avoid having another false alarm. I don't remember exactly what happened a few years back but there was a signal that turned out to be a quasar or something similar.

Declaration of Principles Concerning Activities Following the Detection of Extraterrestrial Intelligence:

We, the institutions and individuals participating in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence,

Recognizing that the search for extraterrestrial intelligence is an integral part of space exploration and is being undertaken for peaceful purposes and for the common interest of all mankind,

Inspired by the profound significance for mankind of detecting evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence, even though the probability of detection may be low,

Recalling the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, which commits States Parties to that Treaty "to inform the Secretary General of the United Nations as well as the public and the international scientific community, to the greatest extent feasible and practicable, of the nature, conduct, locations and results" of their space exploration activities (Article XI),

Recognizing that any initial detection may be incomplete or ambiguous and thus require careful examination as well as confirmation, and that it is essential to maintain the highest standards of scientific responsibility and credibility,

Agree to observe the following principles for disseminating information about the detection of extraterrestrial intelligence:

1. Any individual, public or private research institution, or governmental agency that believes it has detected a signal from or other evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence (the discoverer) should seek to verify that the most plausible explanation for the evidence is the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence rather than some other natural phenomenon or anthropogenic phenomenon before making any public announcement. If the evidence cannot be confirmed as indicating the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence, the discoverer may disseminate the information as appropriate to the discovery of any unknown phenomenon.

2. Prior to making a public announcement that evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence has been detected, the discoverer should promptly inform all other observers or research organizations that are parties to this declaration, so that those other parties may seek to confirm the discovery by independent observations at other sites and so that a network can be established to enable continuous monitoring of the signal or phenomenon. Parties to this declaration should not make any public announcement of this information until it is determined whether this information is or is not credible evidence of the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence. The discoverer should inform his/her or its relevant national authorities.

3. After concluding that the discovery appears to be credible evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence, and after informing other parties to this declaration, the discoverer should inform observers throughout the world through the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams of the International Astronomical Union, and should inform the Secretary General of the United Nations in accordance with Article XI of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Bodies. Because of their demonstrated interest in and expertise concerning the question of the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence, the discoverer should simultaneously inform the following international institutions of the discovery and should provide them with all pertinent data and recorded information concerning the evidence: the International Telecommunication Union, the Committee on Space Research, of the International Council of Scientific Unions, the International Astronautical Federation, the International Academy of Astronautics, the International Institute of Space Law, Commission 51 of the International Astronomical Union and Commission J of the International Radio Science Union.

4. A confirmed detection of extraterrestrial intelligence should be disseminated promptly, openly, and widely through scientific channels and public media, observing the procedures in this declaration. The discoverer should have the privilege of making the first public announcement.

5. All data necessary for confirmation of detection should be made available to the international scientific community through publications, meetings, conferences, and other appropriate means.

6. The discovery should be confirmed and monitored and any data bearing on the evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence should be recorded and stored permanently to the greatest extent feasible and practicable, in a form that will make it available for further analysis and interpretation. These recordings should be made available to the international institutions listed above and to members of the scientific community for further objective analysis and interpretation.

7. If the evidence of detection is in the form of electromagnetic signals, the parties to this declaration should seek international agreement to protect the appropriate frequencies by exercising procedures available through the International Telecommunication Union. Immediate notice should be sent to the Secretary General of the ITU in Geneva, who may include a request to minimize transmissions on the relevant frequencies in the Weekly Circular. The Secretariat, in conjunction with advice of the Union's Administrative Council, should explore the feasibility and utility of convening an Extraordinary Administrative Radio Conference to deal with the matter, subject to the opinions of the member Administrations of the ITU.

8. No response to a signal or other evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence should be sent until appropriate international consultations have taken place. The procedures for such consultations will be the subject of a separate agreement, declaration or arrangement.

9. The SETI Committee of the International Academy of Astronautics, in coordination with Commission 51 of the International Astronomical Union, will conduct a continuing review of procedures for the detection of extraterrestrial intelligence and the subsequent handling of the data. 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. The International Academy of Astronautics will act as the Depository for this declaration and will annually provide a current list of parties to all the parties to this declaration.

Yep, Thanks Startraveler, I was just about to post that our own Government has laws in place to stop us from communicating with space people.

So why would this be any different. Sad to know...but everyone isn't our buddy like most of us like to think. We are being refused information or contact with anyone outside of this planet for what reason?

I'd like to know.

"Parties to this declaration should not make any public announcement of this information until it is determined whether this information is or is not credible evidence of the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence. The discoverer should inform his/her or its relevant national authorities."

"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."

Sounds like some sort of control for public disclosure is already inacted in the charter. Meaning-They will release information when and if they see fit...

Edited August 2, 2006 by MrVelvet