Searching for ET: Hawking to look for extraterrestrial life
Updated: 2015-07-21 09:12
(Agencies)
|
|||||||||||
Professor Stephen Hawking speaks at a media event to launch a global science initiative at The Royal Society in London, Britain, July 20, 2015. [Photo/Agencies] |
Organizers say the "Breakthrough Initiatives" project, also endorsed by other prominent British scientists, is the biggest ever scientific search for alien life. It includes a "listening" program - the effort to analyze vast amounts of radio signals in search of signs of life - and a "messaging" program that will include $1 million in prizes for digital messages that best represent the planet Earth.
The messages will not be sent, however, in part because some scientists - including Hawking - fear messages sent into space could possibly spur aggressive actions by alien races.
It will be supported by the 100-meter Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia in the United States and the 64-meter Parkes Telescope in New South Wales, Australia.
In addition, the Lick Observatory in California will conduct a deeper-than-ever search for optical laser transmissions.
The project will be 50 times more sensitive than earlier searches, and will cover 10 times more of the sky, organizers say.
It will also make use of SETI(at)home, a University of California, Berkeley project that uses some 9 million volunteers throughout the world who donate computer power to search astronomical data for signs of life.
Milner said the search will be entirely transparent and will rely on open-source software so findings can be shared throughout the world.
Related Stories
Stephen Hawking honored at NY science, arts gala 2010-06-04 07:55
Stephen Hawking in hospital 2009-04-21 09:33
Stephen Hawking 'very ill' - reports 2009-04-21 08:29
Stephen Hawking to retire 2008-10-24 11:08
Stephen Hawking to unveil strange new way to tell the time 2008-09-16 10:50
Today's Top News
Beijing condemns Somali attack, mourns deaths
Discovery of Earth-like planet disappoints Chinese Web users
Financial Times sale – the deal no-one saw coming
Deficit hits $104b in first half
The meritocracy of the Chinese system
Turkish warplanes destroy IS targets
Warriors star in lakeside opera spectacular
Greek parliament passes crucial bailout bill
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Taste the fun of baijiu in London |
Expo Milano 2015 |
Public dancing holds people together |
Expat teachers offered poor salaries |
Pigment makers push to protect ancient art |
Sun may set soon on beekeepers |