Communication with Alien Intelligence - Is it a Possibility?

When we finally meet the aliens from outer space, will we be able to converse with them? Considering that we don’t speak the same language, is there a possibility that we will be able to decipher their language?

Well, these are questions that have been nagging people who have always had a fascination with trying to make contact with extraterrestrial beings.

It’s disappointing that all the messages that have been sent to the outer space have either gone unanswered or weird transmissions have been received. But what if researchers picked up an unmistakable communication from outer space tomorrow? Wouldn’t it be an intriguing dilemma?

Let’s find out….

Communication with Extraterrestrial Intelligence

Communication with Extraterrestrial Intelligence (CETI) is a branch of Searching for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), a branch involved with the transmission and reception of messages between humans and alien civilization.

Since the 60s, researchers and scientists have been trying to detect signals from alien intelligence with no luck.

This branch seeks to discover and solve challenges that may hinder communication with outer space intelligence.

Recognizing Incoming Alien Signal

According to CETI, recognizing incoming alien signal is one of the most challenging tasks as differentiating between natural and unnatural signals is easier said than done.

Researchers are however hopeful that advanced technology is highly capable of producing a fine time and frequency structure, through which natural and unnatural signals can be distinguished.

However, according to Andrew Siemion, the director of the Berkeley SETI Research Center, it could be possible that some natural sources could mimic the type of signals being investigated in SETI research. He further adds that discovering these processes would be incredible as well.

Possibility of Overcoming the Language Barrier

The second hardest challenge would be overcoming the language barrier, bearing in mind that aliens most certainly speak a totally different language.

Is there a possibility of coping with such a barrier?

Well, linguistic experts are already trying to unravel this mystery.

It would be practically impossible to decipher an unintentional alien message. However, according to SETI researchers, the situation would be totally different if their message was intentional.

According to Siemion, if alien civilization really wanted to contact us, they would most likely choose to base their communication on something we both have in common. Furthermore, given the fact that we live in the same physical universe and are pretty close to each other(40-50 light years away), they might actually know a lot about us.

Is the Effort Worth it?

Even as researchers continue with the struggle to come up with more suitable methods to get in touch with extraterrestrial civilizations, some people still feel it’s not a risk worth taking.

Some feel there is a high possibility of existential dangers to humanity- like biological weapons or asteroid impacts.

However, according to Siemion, there is no such evidence and on the contrary, extraterrestrial intelligence could actually be friendly possibly because their civilization is highly advanced.

Scientists strongly believe that alien intelligence might have already picked up the sent messages, only that they have no idea we are trying to contact them, possibly due to a language barrier.

They are strongly convinced that transmitting more powerful signals could possibly let them know of our desire to converse with them.

Well, we can only hope for the best!

The Bermuda Triangle – Heinous or Hoax?

The Bermuda Triangle remains a subject of much lore, mythology, and paranormal innuendo since as early as Christopher Columbus' historic voyage. Are the stories told about this stretch of the Ocean, located roughly in the center of the Atlantic waters closest to Miami, Puerto Rico, and Bermuda, valid? The repeated ship and airplane accidents and disappearances have piqued the interests of everyone from conspiracy theorists to scientists, but what is true and what is fiction in this so-called Devil's Triangle?

To begin our discovery, let us examine a timeline of the disasters that have occurred in this region. Included are:

• September 17, 1950 - Unusual disappearances reported in The Miami Herald by Edward Van Winkle Jones
• 1952 - George X. Sand reports in Fate magazine of the loss of several planes and ships, including a US Navy Grumman TBM Avenger.
• 1962 - Another article about the Avenger crash was written by Allan W. Eckert and quoted the flight leader as saying, "We are entering white water, nothing seems right. We don't know where we are, the water is green, no white."
• 1964 - Vincent Gaddis write an article entitled "The Deadly Bermuda Triangle" suggesting the area was the scene of "strange events."
• 1965 - Gaddis turns his article into a book, Invisible Horizons.
• 1969 - John Wallace Spencer builds on Gaddis' theory and writes Limbo of the Lost.
• 1974 - Charles Berlitz does the same in The Bermuda Triangle, and Richard Winer writes The Devil's Triangle.

Many other books were written over the years, all portending that supernatural elements were involved in the disasters.

But, scientifically speaking, is the Bermuda Triangle "cursed?" Mindy Weisberger of LiveScience explains that Aviation Safety Network and US Coast Guard records have shown that many of the "vanishings" were due to storm activity in that area of the Atlantic. Others linked to dangerous conditions on the vessels. So far, according to Coast Guard experts, nothing has been discovered that would explain the aircraft and ship losses other than "physical causes."

It seems the common conditions that occur in the ocean and simple human error are the culprits in every case. Scientists add that this area of the Atlantic is no more dangerous than any other part of the high seas. And when you consider that water makes up 70% of our planet, it is not a surprise that accidents and disappearances continue.

Even though many amateur marine biologists remain curious about this part of the ocean and some enjoy coming up with explanations that border on the outrageous to explain the accidents there, scientists simply do not have the data to show that any evidence exists. But they do have the information to determine that nothing out of the ordinary is going on in the Devil's Triangle.

The Phoenix Project Of SETI Institute

SETI (The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) - a non profit research institution which deals with exploring, understanding and explaining the source and form of life in the cosmos and applying the understanding gained to steer humanity carried out the Phoenix project from 1995 February to March 2004. The aim of the project was to look for extraterrestrial intelligence. It relied on analysis of observed radio patterns to make conclusions. The funds for the project were raised privately.

Where the project took place.

It started in Australia where the Parkes Radio Telescope (the biggest telescope in southern hemisphere) is located. About 200 stars that cannot be viewed from the northern hemisphere telescopes were observed in sixteen weeks.

From the September of 1996 to April of 1998, the Phoenix project observed from USA at the National Radio astronomy located in Green Bank of Pocahontas county in West Virginia. Project phoenix made use of the antenna that was used in project Ozma by Frank Drake since it is just a short distance away. Phoenix made fifty percent use of the telescope and fifty percent use of the antennae over the period.

Project Phoenix shifted to Arebico in August of 1988. It utilized the largest telescope in the world, being able to observe two times in a year (three to four weeks each time) due to the telescope's high demand. To minimize the high radio interference in daytime, the Phoenix Project team carried out observations at night. This also minimized interference of each star's line of sight by the storms of solar wind.

How the Search took place.

Project Phoenix focused on observation of nearby stars using some of the world's most powerful telescopes that guaranteed high sensitivity to weak signals for any indications of communication technology. Stars in the microwave region that lies in the electromagnetic spectrum of 1200-3000 MHz were analyzed. To examine as many as possible channels in each target star, the spectrum was broken into narrow channels that were 1 Hz wide. The collected data was processed immediately and follow ups made on candidate signals. To eliminate most terrestrial interference, two telescopes that are far apart were used. The project involved monitoring of millions of channels concurrently which was performed by computers while the astronomers made key decisions about signals of interest.

The phoenix Project by SETI analyzed 800 stars that are within 240 light years comprehensively. It is the most successful project that SETI has undertaken to date. The Phoenix project did not find any Extra-Terrestrial (ET) signal hence concluding that was no life in the surrounding stars that were examined.

Area 51

Area 51 refers to a given U.S. military base, which supports the development and testing of experimental aircraft and weapons systems. Popularly, it is believed to be a hideout for Alien activity. Located at 83 miles north of Las Vegas. It is a 6x10 mile block of land situated on the southern shore of Groom Lake.

Since its inception citizens have claimed to view UFO sightings and heard strange, rumbling noises. The government denies the existence of Area 51. Rather, it emphasizes the area used to serve as a site for military bombings.

A little bit of history

During World War II the Groom Lake was used for bombing and artillery practice but was abandoned until April 1955, when Lockheed's Skunk Works team selected the location as an ideal testing grounds for the forthcoming U-2 spy plane.

What's in there

One runway of the base is closed, but it contains other seven runways. The final runway 14R/32L, with a total length of 7,100 m is the longest without any stop-way. The other tracks are two asphalt runways which have a length of 3,700 m and 1,600 m respectively. The other runways are four and are located on the salt lake.

Since the paranormal occurrences at this location, it has become the subject of curiosity. Many documents and articles have been written about the place. People in hope to turn the rumors true flock outside the complex hoping to capture some strange activity in their camera lens.

Mysteries

The USGS topographic map shows a long-disused Groom Mine, and the base doesn't appear on public U.S. government map. The area is restricted to both civilians and general military air traffic. Radar stations guard the area, and any illegal activity is instantly noticed and apprehended with stringent laws. Unauthorized personnel from the army are expelled if caught strolling in the restricted surroundings of Groom's airspace.

Conspiracy theories.

Area 51 has become the focus of UFO and conspiracy theories. These theories include:

• The storage, examination, and reverse engineering of crashed alien spacecraft with its occupants at Roswell.
• Manufacturing of aircraft based on alien technology.
• Joint undertakings with extraterrestrials.
• The development of exotic energy weapons for weather control.
• The development of time travel and teleportation technology.
• The development of unique propulsion systems related to the Aurora Program.
• Activities associated with the Majestic 12 organisation often referred as one world government.

These conspiracy theories have catapulted Area 51 as a famous, paranormal activity site in popular culture, specifically in the area of science fiction. Many films and television programs focus on capturing the fictitious theories marked by the government.