Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Is There Anybody Out There?

1. "Rearranging Stars to Communicate with Aliens"
  <http://discovermagazine.com/2008/feb/rearranging-stars-to-communicate-
     with-aliens>
"This month I seriously propose that we begin the process of reposition-
 ing the sun and other nearby stars in order to send signals to aliens,
 and that we begin the search for signs that aliens might have done the
 same for our benefit."

2. "NASA beams Beatles 'Across the Universe'"
  <http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/05/2154343.htm>
"An intergalactic celebration of The Beatles will be launched with the
 beaming of their peace anthem Across the Universe into outer space."

3. "Voyager Golden Record" [Wikipedia]
  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voyager_Golden_Record>
"The Voyager Golden Record is a phonograph record included in the two
 Voyager spacecraft launched in 1977. It contains sounds and images
 selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth. It is
 intended for any intelligent extraterrestrial life form, or far future
 humans, that may find it."

4. "Beamed blogs to 'connect with extraterrestrials'"
  <http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200507/s1417975.htm>
"Alien life forms will have something new to read with the commencement
 of a service that will beam blogger's online rantings into outer space"

5. "Communication with Extraterrestrial Intelligence" [Wikipedia]
  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communication_with_Extraterrestrial_
     Intelligence>
"Communication with Extraterrestrial Intelligence is a branch of SETI
 research that focuses on composing and deciphering messages that could
 theoretically be understood by another technological civilization. The
 best-known CETI experiment was the 1974 Arecibo message composed by
 Frank Drake and Carl Sagan. CETI research has focused on three broad
 areas: mathematical languages, pictorial systems such as the Arecibo
 message, and algorithmic communication systems (ACETI)."

6. "Scientists to send baby fish into space"
  <http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/09/2158495.htm>
"Scientists plan to launch 60 tiny fish on a zero gravity rocket ride
 from above the Arctic Circle on Monday to try to plumb the secrets of
 motion sickness."

7. "Japanese scientists make paper planes for space"
  <http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/07/2157295.htm>
"A spacecraft made of folded paper zooming through the skies may sound
 far-fetched, but Japanese scientists plan to launch paper planes from
 the International Space Station to see if they make it back to Earth."