A new group of researchers from the University of St Andrews in Scotland wants to make a plan for what to do if we encounter extraterrestrials here on Earth.
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With the help of experts from around the world, they will compile robust protocols and treaties, as well as evaluate any evidence of intelligent civilization.
Their preparatory work will take place at a new university research center, dedicated to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI).
Dr John Elliott, computer scientist and SETI Post-Detection Hub coordinator, said, “Science fiction is full of explorations of the impact on human society after life or intelligence is discovered and even recognized elsewhere. But we have to go. beyond thinking about the impact on humanity “.
He added: “We need to coordinate our expert knowledge, not only to assess the evidence, but also to look at the human social response as our understanding progresses and what we know and what we don’t know is being communicated. And it’s time to do it now. . The scanning of signals from a presumed extraterrestrial origin for linguistic structures and the association of meanings is a complex and time-consuming process during which our knowledge is developed in many steps. “
The group believes that limited attention has been paid to the consequences for society if an alien intelligence is discovered.
Although the United Nations has processes and entities set up to address the threat of asteroid impacts, there is nothing comparable to extraterrestrial life.
And in June, NASA announced it was launching its first-ever study of unspecified atmospheric phenomena (UAP), otherwise known as UFOs.
Over the course of nine months, scientists are reviewing current data on UAPs, identifying which scenes are naturally occurring or not worthy of further research.
The Hub researchers wrote: “Social interest has increased dramatically recently, due to the discovery of thousands of planets around distant stars in our galaxy and those closer to home, exploring nearby worlds such as Mars and Venus. looking for signs of life. “
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The potential discovery of microbial life is likely to spark the types of anxiety that would follow the discovery of intelligent life.
The SETI Post-Discovery Center provides the first permanent “home” to develop a complete picture for what happens after an alien radio signal is picked up.
Scientists will manage the entire process of finding evidence, confirming findings, analyzing, interpreting language patterns, and handling potential responses.
They will work with academics in the sciences and humanities, as well as with members of the SETI community.
They will also coordinate with policy experts on message decoding, data analytics, spatial law, regulatory development and social impact strategies to help bridge the political divide.
And in July, a study found that aliens can send messages across interstellar space using quantum communications.
A team from the University of Edinburgh performed calculations on the movement of X-rays through the vacuum of space to see if they would run into any obstacles. Quantum particles, such as photons of light, are fragile and can break easily if they encounter any kind of interference, such as from a gravitational field.
According to the researchers, the level of information that can be transmitted safely using high-speed volumes could make it a viable way to communicate with other life forms.
There are currently no known organisms that naturally transmit messages that could be confused with space signals, the researchers say. For now it’s just speculation, but the research is giving the experts another sign of life to look for.
Source: Daily Mail
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