Is Now the Time for First Contact?

As the world continues to welcome cutting edge new space technologies scientists are urging that the time to reach out and make first contact with extra-terrestrial intelligence is now. While in the past humans have taken a passive ‘let them come to us’ approach, space experts are urging planet Earth to actively attempt communications with alien life-forms.

An institution of alien enthusiasts

One of the major groups supporting first contact is the Search for Extra Terrestrial Life (SETI) project. Founded in 1984, the institution actively searches for intelligent extra-terrestrial life with the support of astrophysicists from prestigious bodies such as Harvard and the University of California.

Douglas Vakoch, the Director of Interstellar Message Composition at the SETI Institute, maintains that the time is right for humans to start sending signals to potentially habitable space zones. "As we move into the next half century we should expand our strategies, so we are not only passively listening, but also transmitting intentional, information-rich signals,” he said.

According to the latest results from NASA’s Kepler Telescope there are more than 3,800 planets which currently orbit in habitable zones. It’s these areas that scientists should be focussing on, with Vakoch urging that “With recent detections of Earth-like planets in the habitable zones of other stars, we have natural targets for such transmission projects.” 

The Mars One Mission is the world’s first attempt to establish a human settlement on Mars. The mission is an independent spaceflight project that intends to send groups of humans to Mars, by the year 2025. You can read more about this news story in: What is the Mars One Mission?

Mixed messages

Establishing contact is one challenge but composing the perfect interstellar message is a whole new ball game. In a bid to create the perfect ‘pick up line’ SETI launched a site called Earth Speaks which called on the public to help write a first contact message. The results were fascinating. While men tended to mention science and inquire about the state of their civilisation, women extended offers of friendship, coffee and biscuits.

Overall, the most popular theme appeared to be requests for help and wisdom. Vakoch refers to this as a "cosmic inferiority complex" wherein humans assume that they are less intelligent than alien life. Interestingly, Vakoch doesn’t agree with this concept and sees Earth’s experience of humanity as an incredibly valuable asset.

Fiery opposition

Of course, not everyone is on-board, with some critics arguing that it could be dangerous. Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer and Director, Center for SETI research explains that certain people fear that extra-terrestrials may not come in peace and could be extremely dangerous to the human race. "It’s very controversial. There are some people who think this might be dangerous,” he said. US scientist David Brin openly opposes amplified attempts at first contact, maintaining that "We are the youngest of all technological races in the cosmos.” This inexperience could put planet Earth in extreme danger from aliens with less than friendly intentions.

So should we be worried or should we be extending warm welcomes? If and when first contact is made, we can only hope that SETI has come up with a galvanising greeting!