Interplanetary messages: do all earthlings want aliens to know about them

Most of the world's population does not even suspect that scientists regularly send messages to possible extraterrestrial civilizations. Encrypted data goes into space, which, according to astrophysicists, can tell about our civilization, and the scientists who compiled it are even waiting for response signals. But, despite the seriousness of the possible consequences of such activities, no one holds referenda or at least polls on this topic, the texts of the messages are not discussed at UN meetings or at international forums. Meanwhile, Stephen Hawking, a world-famous scientist, believed that contact with extraterrestrial civilizations could result in death for all of humanity, since we are most likely not the most developed civilization in the universe.

Astrophysicists spend a lot of time and energy searching for extraterrestrial life, both on the objects of the solar system and beyond. But if someone hopes to find at least bacteria as evidence of the existence of life outside the Earth, then others believe that highly developed civilizations may exist in several places of the Universe at once. At the same time, it is believed that life can exist in conditions similar to terrestrial, therefore, each discovery of a planet similar in physical parameters instills in scientists a new portion of optimism.

For a more effective search for life on other planets, as well as possible civilizations, back in the last century, scientists began to send encrypted messages to outer space. In 1962, the USSR sent the first radio message from the Space Communications Center in Crimea to Venus, which consisted of the three words "Peace", "Lenin", "USSR". Then, in the early 70s, NASA launched the Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 vehicles, which carried message plates on board. Then, the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft launched by NASA in 1977 of the last century and already left the solar system were also equipped with message plates. They contain information about a person, about our planet, the peoples inhabiting it, the achievements of science, the music of various countries and peoples is recorded and photographs are available.

In addition, radio signals were sent to the nearest stars, which, according to astronomers, had much in common with our Sun and around which there could exist planets like the Earth. This is the famous Arecibo message of 1974, which contains information about the structure of DNA, man, chemical elements and the solar system and was sent to the constellation Hercules, as well as about 20 more messages sent to different parts of the universe.

Watch the video: 40 years ago, NASA sent a message to aliens here's what it says (May 2024).