Skies to be swept for alien life

[Admin]

See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7041183.stm

The switch has been thrown on a telescope specifically designed to seek out alien life.

Funded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen the finished array will have 350 6m antennas and will be one of the world's largest.
The Allen Telescope Array (ATA) will be able to sweep more than one million star systems for radio signals generated by intelligent beings.


The ATA is being run by the SETI Institute and the Radio Astronomy Laboratory from the University of California, Berkeley.

It looks like a 21st century update of the SETI project.

I would think that the most likely 'first contact' with another intelligence would most likely come from a project such as this one. Either picking up electromagnetic signals they're using or even a 'beacon' that is intentionally transmitting to signal that intelligent life is present.

I don't know what the chances of contact are estimated at but I presume the odds are very low.

[MRT]

I bet they'll pick up a repeat of an alien celebrity chat show.

[FarSideOfTheMoon]

.....or the alien Jeremy Kyle show

[vbloke]

I don't know what the chances of contact are estimated at but I presume the odds are very low.

I'd say about as low as the chances of finding a genuine psychic.

[The_Corinthian]

It would be amazing if they ever did find a signal. I've always wondered what and alien TV show would be like, it's pretty impossible to imagine. I doubt that's what we'd pick up anyway, but you never know.

[vbloke]

It would be amazing if they ever did find a signal. I've always wondered what and alien TV show would be like, it's pretty impossible to imagine. I doubt that's what we'd pick up anyway, but you never know.

Although if we did, I really hope it's in PAL format, just to annoy the Americans...

[dark matter]

I wonder if they'd let me use it to track down my ex-girlfriend!!! She took me for all I had and then left with the milkman...

[The_Corinthian]

Although if we did, I really hope it's in PAL format, just to annoy the Americans...

They'll probably use SECAM just cus no useful country uses it.

[InForAPennyInForApound]

http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedi...cfm?videoID=81


Finally, contact from outer space! ???

[frosty jack]

The wow signal SETI recived was interesting.

[dee]

.....or the alien Jeremy Kyle show

I'd prefer an alien Jerry Springer - my wife, the alien and the rent boy - I can see it now...

[tkingdoll]

The problem I have with SETI is that they don't say how long they are going to keep looking. Eventually the money runs out, but you've barely passed the 'zero' chance mark even after 100 years.

I guess I'm saying I think it's a bit pointless.

[MRT]

If SETI finds intelligent life out there, how are we supposed to react? Is it good news that we're not alone? Is it bad news that they might notice us and invade?

[tkingdoll]

If SETI finds intelligent life out there, how are we supposed to react? Is it good news that we're not alone? Is it bad news that they might notice us and invade?

I for one welcome our new Martian overlords.

Although...

...the chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one, they say.

[bobdezon]

jeff wayne ftw