Should we be sending more messages to aliens? Getty

Are we alone? Probably not. After all, astronomers have already found 4,001 confirmed exoplanets in our Milky Way galaxy, and expect there to be over 50 billion exoplanets. For scientists gathering in Paris today, the question is different: why haven’t we made contact with alien civilizations?

What is the Fermi Paradox and the ‘Great Silence’?

Italian physicist Enrico Fermi asked ‘where is everybody?’ back in 1950 in what’s now called the Fermi Paradox. It addresses a contradiction in astronomy, and can be summarized thus: if extraterrestrial life, and even intelligent alien civilizations, and not just likely but highly probable, then why have none of them been in contact with us? Are there biological or sociological explanations for this ‘Great Silence’?

“We are very interested in the scientific approach used in the analysis of the Fermi Paradox and the search for intelligent life in the universe,” said Cyril Birnbaum and Brigitte David at the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie (Cité), the science museum in Paris that’s hosting today’s meeting. “The question ‘Are we alone?’ affects us all, because it is directly related to humanity and our place in the cosmos.”

Illustration of the view from the innermost of the two exoplanets orbiting Gliese 667 C (largest star, a red dwarf) in the Gliese 667 system, which lies around 24 light years from Earth in the constellation Scorpius.Getty

What are scientists doing in Paris?

Today, leading researchers from the fields of astrophysics, biology, sociology, psychology, and history are meeting at the Cité. “Every two years, METI International (METI stands for Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence) organizes a one-day workshop in Paris as part of a series of workshops entitled What is Life? An Extraterrestrial Perspective,” said Florence Raulin Cerceau, co-chair of the workshop and a member of METI’s Board of Directors. The scientists are discussing some pretty insane-sounding questions:

  • Are extraterrestrials staying silent out of concern for how contact would impact humanity?
  • Do we live in a ‘galactic zoo’?
  • Should we send intentional radio messages to nearby stars to signal humanity’s interest in joining the ‘Galactic Club’?
  • Will extraterrestrial intelligence be similar to human intelligence?
  • Did life get to earth from elsewhere in the galaxy (interstellar migration)?

“This puzzle of why we haven’t detected extraterrestrial life has been discussed often, but in this workshop’s unique focus, many of the talks tackled a controversial explanation first suggested in the 1970s called the ‘Zoo Hypothesis,'” said Raulin Cerceau. Ah yes, the idea that we’re being watched by aliens and … perhaps even being protected.

If a zebra started pounding out a series of prime numbers in a zoo, would we re-evaluate their intelligence? That’s how some scientists are characterizing the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Getty

What is the ‘Zoo Hypothesis’?

This is a mind-warping idea that there are alien civilizations out there (no, not on Oumuamua) that know all about us, but purposefully hide from us. It certainly explains the ‘Great Silence’. “Perhaps extraterrestrials are watching humans on Earth, much like we watch animals in a zoo,” explains Douglas Vakoch, president of METI. “How can we get the galactic zookeepers to reveal themselves?” At a workshop, Vakoch proposed that humans should be more active in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. “If we went to a zoo and suddenly a zebra turned toward us, looked us in the eye, and started pounding out a series of prime numbers with its hoof, that would establish a radically different relationship between us and the zebra, and we would feel compelled to respond,” he said.

It’s hard to disagree with that. “We can do the same with extraterrestrials by transmitting powerful, intentional, information-rich radio signals to nearby stars,” he said.

No, there are no aliens watching us from Oumuamua, the first interstellar asteroid that passed through the solar system in late 2018.Getty

What is the ‘Galactic Quarantine’ theory?

Think the ‘Zoo Hypothesis’ theory is insane? That’s nothing compared to another theory about alien benevolence. “It seems likely that extraterrestrials are imposing a ‘galactic quarantine’ because they realize it would be culturally disruptive for us to learn about them,” said Jean-Pierre Rospars, the honorary research director at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique and co-chair of the workshop. “Cognitive evolution on Earth shows random features while also following predictable paths … we can expect the repeated, independent emergence of intelligent species in the universe, and we should expect to see more or less similar forms of intelligence everywhere, under favorable conditions,” he added. “There’s no reason to think that humans have reached the highest cognitive level possible. Higher levels might evolve on Earth in the future and already be reached elsewhere.”

The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT) at the Green Bank Observatory, West Virginia, is the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope. Getty

What does the Drake Equation try to do?

A formula to estimate the number of technological civilizations in the Milky Way galaxy, the Drake Equation is an attempt to put the Fermi Paradox into numbers. The Drake Equation was posited in 1961 by Dr. Frank Drake, a radio astronomer at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia.

What is the Drake Equation?

OK, don’t expect any answers here. The formula below, which comes from the SETI Institute might seem impressive, but it’s mostly guesswork. Practically speaking, its purpose is not to find a definitive answer, but to keep the discussion going about the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

N = R* x fp x ne x fl x fi x fc x L

N = The number of civilizations in the Milky Way Galaxy whose electromagnetic emissions are detectable.

R = The rate of formation of stars suitable for the development of intelligent life.

fp = The fraction of those stars with planetary systems.

ne = The number of planets, per solar system, with an environment suitable for life.

fl = The fraction of suitable planets on which life actually appears.

fi = The fraction of life bearing planets on which intelligent life emerges.

fc = The fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space.

L = The length of time such civilizations release detectable signals into space.

METI puts a special emphasis on those last three terms, which explore not just the frequency of intelligence-bearing worlds, but how long they last (before they get wiped out).

Radio astronomy Vs interstellar colonization

While for now, radio astronomy is the only practical way of humans sending messages out into the cosmos, says one scientist, only full-blown colonization of other stars is the only way to prove the existence of intelligent life. “It appears that although radio communications provide a natural means for searching for extra-terrestrial intelligence for civilizations younger than a few millennia, older civilizations should rather develop extensive programs of interstellar colonization,” said Nicolas Prantzos, director of research of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), in advance of Monday’s meeting. “This is the only way to achieve undisputable evidence, either for or against the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence, within their lifetime.”

In 1960, Dr. Frank Drake at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia used the 25-meter dish for his Project Ozma, in which he searched two nearby stars called Epsilon Eridani (an artist’s impression pictured here) and Tau Ceti for signs of alien life. Getty

Why aliens could be very different from humans

Why should they be even remotely similar? “The environment on an exoplanet will impose its own rules,” said Roland Lehoucq, an astrophysicist who works at the Commissariat à l’Énergie Atomique (CEA). “There is no trend in biological evolution: the huge range of various morphologies observed on Earth renders any exobiological speculation improbable, at least for macroscopic ‘complex’ life.” Skeptical that humans would have much in common with extraterrestrial life forms, Lehocq discussed “our persistent anthropocentrism in our understanding and description of alien life” and how difficult it is for humans to imagine extraterrestrial intelligence radically different from ourselves.

In short? We’re too self-obsessed to even imagine extraterrestrial life, let alone find and communicate with it, and if there’s not going to be proof within our lifetimes, we’re not interested. Is there intelligent life out there? Probably, but we’ll probably never find it.

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes

Follow me on Twitter @jamieacarter, @TheNextEclipse or read my other Forbes articles via my profile page.

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Should we be sending out more messages to aliens
?
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(************** )Are we alone? Most likely not. After all, astronomers have actually currently discovered 4,001 verified exoplanets in our Galaxy galaxy, and anticipate there to be over50 billion exoplanets For researchers collecting in Paris today, the concern is various: why have not we reached alien civilizations?

(************** ) What is the Fermi Paradox and the’ Excellent Silence’?

Italian physicist Enrico Fermi(****************

) asked’ where is everyone?’ back in1950 in what’s now called the Fermi Paradox It deals with a contradiction in astronomy, and can be summed up hence: if extraterrestrial life, and even smart alien civilizations, and not simply most likely however extremely possible, then why have none touched with us? Exist biological or sociological descriptions for this’ Excellent Silence’?

” We are really thinking about the clinical technique utilized in the analysis

of the Fermi Paradox and the look for smart life in deep space,” stated Cyril Birnbaum and Brigitte David at the (********************* )Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie( Cité), the science museum in Paris that’s hosting today’s conference.” The concern’ Are we alone?’ impacts all of us, since it is straight associated to mankind and our location in the universes.”

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Illustration of the view from the innermost of the 2 exoplanets orbiting Gliese667 C( biggest star, a red dwarf )in the Gliese667 system, which lies around(******************************************************************************************** )light years from Earth in the constellation Scorpius. Getty

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What are researchers

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Today, leading scientists from the fields of astrophysics, biology, sociology, psychology, and history are fulfilling at the Cité.” Every 2 years, METI International(**************** )( METI represents Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence) arranges a one-day workshop in Paris as part of a series of workshops entitled What is Life? An Extraterrestrial Point Of View, ” stated Florence Raulin Cerceau, co-chair of the workshop and a member of METI’s Board of Directors. The researchers are going over some quite insane-sounding concerns:(************* )(*************************** )

  • Are extraterrestrials remaining quiet out of issue for how contact would affect mankind?(****************************** )
  • Do we reside in a’ stellar zoo’?
  • Should we send out deliberate radio messages to close-by stars to indicate mankind’s interest in signing up with the ‘Galactic Club’?
  • Will extraterrestrial intelligence resemble human intelligence?
  • (***************************** )Did life get to earth from in other places in the galaxy( interstellar migration)?

” This puzzle of why we have not found extraterrestrial life

has actually been gone over frequently, however in this workshop’s special focus, much of the talks dealt with a questionable description very first recommended in the1970 s called the ‘Zoo Hypothesis,'” stated Raulin Cerceau. Ah yes, the concept that we’re being viewed by aliens and … possibly even being safeguarded.

(********************************* )

If a zebra began pounding out a series of prime numbers in a zoo, would we re-evaluate their intelligence? That’s how

some researchers are defining the look for(********** ) extraterrestrial intelligence(********** ) Getty

What is the’ Zoo Hypothesis’?(******************

)

This is a mind-warping concept that there are alien civilizations out there( no, not on Oumuamua) that understand everything about us, however actively conceal from us. It definitely describes the’ Excellent Silence ‘.” Maybe extraterrestrials are enjoying human beings in the world, similar to we see animals in a zoo, “describes Douglas Vakoch, president of METI. “How can we get the stellar zookeepers to expose themselves?” At a workshop, Vakoch proposed that human beings need to be more active in the look for extraterrestrial intelligence. “If we went to a zoo and all of a sudden a zebra turned towards us, looked us in the eye, and began pounding out a series of prime numbers with its hoof, that would develop a drastically various relationship in between us and the zebra, and we would feel obliged to react,” he stated.(************* )

It’s tough to disagree with that.” We can do the very same with extraterrestrials by transferring effective, deliberate, information-rich radio signals to close-by stars, “he stated.

(************************************* )(**** )

No, there are no aliens enjoying us from Oumuamua, the very first interstellar asteroid that went through the planetary system in late2018 Getty

What is the’ Galactic Quarantine’ theory

?(******************

)

Believe the’ Zoo Hypothesis’ theory is outrageous? That’s absolutely nothing compared to another theory about alien altruism.” It promises that extraterrestrials are enforcing a’ stellar quarantine’ since they understand it would be culturally disruptive for us to find out about them,” stated Jean-Pierre Rospars, the honorary research study director at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique and co-chair of the workshop.” Cognitive development in the world reveals random functions while likewise following foreseeable courses … we can anticipate the duplicated, independent development of smart types in deep space, and we need to anticipate to see basically comparable kinds of intelligence all over, under beneficial conditions,” he included.” There’s no factor to believe that human beings have actually reached the greatest cognitive level possible. Greater levels may develop in the world in the future and currently be reached in other places.”

(*************************************** )

(**** )(***** )

The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope

( GBT) at the Green Bank Observatory, West Virginia, is the
world’s biggest completely steerable radio telescope. Getty

(***** )

What does the Drake Formula attempt to do?

A formula to approximate the variety of technological civilizations in the Galaxy galaxy, the Drake
Formula is an effort to put the Fermi Paradox into numbers. The Drake Formula was presumed in 1961 by Dr. Frank Drake, a radio astronomer at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia.

(***************** )What is the Drake Formula?(****************** )

OK, do not anticipate any responses here. The formula listed below, which originates from the SETI Institute may appear remarkable, however it’s mainly uncertainty. Almost speaking, its function is not to discover a conclusive response, however to keep the conversation setting about the look for extraterrestrial intelligence.(************* )

N= R * x fp x ne x fl x fi x fc x L(************************** )

N= The variety of civilizations in the Galaxy Galaxy whose electro-magnetic emissions are noticeable.

R= The rate of development of stars appropriate for the advancement of smart life.

fp= The portion of those

stars with planetary systems.

ne =The variety of worlds, per planetary system, with an environment appropriate for life.

fl= The portion of appropriate worlds on which life really appears. (************* )

fi =The portion of life bearing worlds on which smart life emerges
.

fc =The portion of civilizations that establish an innovation that launches noticeable indications of their presence into area.

(************** )L= The length of time such civilizations launch noticeable signals into area.

METI puts an unique focus on those last 3 terms, which check out not simply the frequency of intelligence-bearing worlds, however for how long they last( prior to they get erased(****************

)).

(************** ) Radio astronomy Vs interstellar colonization

While in the meantime, radio astronomy is the only useful method of human beings sending out
messages out into the universes, states one researcher, just full-blown colonization of other stars is the only method to show the presence of smart life.” It appears that although radio interactions offer a natural ways for
(***************************************** )looking for extra-terrestrial intelligence (********** )(***************************************** )for civilizations more youthful than a couple of centuries, older civilizations need to rather establish substantial programs of interstellar colonization,” stated Nicolas Prantzos, director of research study of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique( CNRS), in advance of Monday’s conference.” T his is the only method to accomplish sound proof, either for or versus the presence of extraterrestrial intelligence, within their life time.” (********** )(************* )

(****** )

In(**************************************************************************** ), Dr. Frank Drake at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory

in Green Bank, West Virginia utilized the25- meter meal for his Task Ozma, in which he browsed 2 close-by stars called Epsilon Eridani( an artist’s impression visualized here )and Tau Ceti for indications of alien life. Getty

Why aliens could be really various from human beings

Why should they be even from another location comparable?” The environment on an exoplanet will enforce its own guidelines,” stated Roland Lehoucq, an astrophysicist who operates at the Commissariat à l’Énergie Atomique( CEA).

” There is

no pattern in

biological
development: the big series of different morphologies observed in the world renders any exobiological speculation unlikely, a minimum of for macroscopic’ complex’ life.” Doubtful that human beings would have much in typical with extraterrestrial life kinds, Lehocq went over” our consistent anthropocentrism in our understanding and description of alien life” and how hard it is for human beings to picture extraterrestrial intelligence drastically various from ourselves.

In other words? We’re too self-obsessed to even picture extraterrestrial life, not to mention discover and interact with it, and if there’s not going to be evidence within our life times, we’re not interested. Exists smart life out there? Most likely, however we’ll most likely never ever discover it.

(************** )(************************* )Wanting you clear skies and large eyes

(************** )Follow me on Twitter @jamieacarter, @TheNextEclipse or read my other Forbes short articles through my profile page

” readability =”17723674989049″ >

Should we be

sending out more messages to aliens? Getty

Are we alone? Most likely not. After all, astronomers have actually currently discovered 4,001 verified exoplanets in our Galaxy galaxy, and anticipate there to be over50 billion exoplanets(**************** ). For researchers collecting in Paris today, the concern is various: why have not we reached alien civilizations?

(***************** ) What is the Fermi Paradox and the ‘Excellent Silence’?

Italian physicist Enrico Fermi asked ‘where is everyone?’ back in1950 in what’s now called the Fermi Paradox
It deals with a contradiction in astronomy, and can be summed up hence: if extraterrestrial life, and even smart alien civilizations, and not simply most likely however extremely possible, then why have none touched with us? Exist biological or sociological descriptions for this ‘Excellent Silence’?

“We are really thinking about the clinical technique utilized in the analysis of the Fermi Paradox and the look for smart life in deep space,” stated Cyril Birnbaum and Brigitte David at the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie (Cité), the science museum in Paris that’s hosting today’s conference. “The concern ‘Are we alone?’ impacts all of us, since it is straight associated to mankind and our location in the universes.”

.

.

Illustration of the view from the innermost of the 2 exoplanets orbiting Gliese 667 C (biggest star, a red dwarf) in the Gliese 667 system, which lies around 24 light years from Earth in the constellation Scorpius. Getty

.

.

What are researchers performing in Paris?

Today, leading scientists from the fields of astrophysics, biology, sociology, psychology, and history are fulfilling at the Cité. “Every 2 years, METI International (METI represents Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence) arranges a one-day workshop in Paris as part of a series of workshops entitled What is Life? An Extraterrestrial Point Of View, ” stated Florence Raulin Cerceau, co-chair of the workshop and a member of METI’s Board of Directors. The researchers are going over some quite insane-sounding concerns:

    .

  • Are extraterrestrials remaining quiet out of issue for how contact would affect mankind?
  • Do we reside in a ‘stellar zoo’?
  • Should we send out deliberate radio messages to close-by stars to indicate mankind’s interest in signing up with the ‘Galactic Club’?
  • Will extraterrestrial intelligence resemble human intelligence?
  • Did life get to earth from in other places in the galaxy (interstellar migration)?

.

“This puzzle of why we have not found extraterrestrial life has actually been gone over frequently, however in this workshop’s special focus, much of the talks dealt with a questionable description very first recommended in the 1970 s called the ‘Zoo Hypothesis,'” stated Raulin Cerceau. Ah yes, the concept that we’re being viewed by aliens and … possibly even being safeguarded.

.

.

If a zebra began pounding out a series of prime numbers in a zoo, would we re-evaluate their intelligence? That’s how some researchers are defining the look for extraterrestrial intelligence Getty

.

.

What is the ‘Zoo Hypothesis’?

This is a mind-warping concept that there are alien civilizations out there ( no, not on Oumuamua ) that understand everything about us, however actively conceal from us. It definitely describes the ‘Excellent Silence’. “Maybe extraterrestrials are enjoying human beings in the world, similar to we see animals in a zoo,” describes Douglas Vakoch, president of METI. “How can we get the stellar zookeepers to expose themselves?” At a workshop, Vakoch proposed that human beings need to be more active in the look for extraterrestrial intelligence. “If we went to a zoo and all of a sudden a zebra turned towards us, looked us in the eye, and began pounding out a series of prime numbers with its hoof, that would develop a drastically various relationship in between us and the zebra, and we would feel obliged to react,” he stated.

It’s tough to disagree with that. “We can do the very same with extraterrestrials by transferring effective, deliberate, information-rich radio signals to close-by stars,” he stated.

.

.

No, there are no aliens enjoying us from Oumuamua , the very first interstellar asteroid that went through the planetary system in late2018 Getty

.

.

What is the ‘Galactic Quarantine’ theory?

Believe the ‘Zoo Hypothesis’ theory is outrageous? That’s absolutely nothing compared to another theory about alien altruism. “It promises that extraterrestrials are enforcing a ‘stellar quarantine’ since they understand it would be culturally disruptive for us to find out about them,” stated Jean-Pierre Rospars, the honorary research study director at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique and co-chair of the workshop. “Cognitive development in the world reveals random functions while likewise following foreseeable courses … we can anticipate the duplicated, independent development of smart types in deep space, and we need to anticipate to see basically comparable kinds of intelligence all over, under beneficial conditions,” he included. “There’s no factor to believe that human beings have actually reached the greatest cognitive level possible. Greater levels may develop in the world in the future and currently be reached in other places.”

.

.

The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT) at the Green Bank Observatory, West Virginia, is the world’s biggest completely steerable radio telescope. Getty

.

.

What does the Drake Formula attempt to do?

A formula to approximate the variety of technological civilizations in the Galaxy galaxy, the Drake Formula is an effort to put the Fermi Paradox into numbers. The Drake Formula was presumed in 1961 by Dr. Frank Drake, a radio astronomer at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia.

What is the Drake Formula?

OK, do not anticipate any responses here. The formula listed below, which originates from the SETI Institute may appear remarkable, however it’s mainly uncertainty. Almost speaking, its function is not to discover a conclusive response, however to keep the conversation setting about the look for extraterrestrial intelligence.

N = R * x fp x ne x fl x fi x fc x L

N = The variety of civilizations in the Galaxy Galaxy whose electro-magnetic emissions are noticeable.

R = The rate of development of stars appropriate for the advancement of smart life.

fp = The portion of those stars with planetary systems.

ne = The variety of worlds, per planetary system, with an environment appropriate for life.

fl = The portion of appropriate worlds on which life really appears.

fi = The portion of life bearing worlds on which smart life emerges.

fc = The portion of civilizations that establish an innovation that launches noticeable indications of their presence into area.

L = The length of time such civilizations launch noticeable signals into area.

METI puts an unique focus on those last 3 terms, which check out not simply the frequency of intelligence-bearing worlds, however for how long they last ( prior to they get erased ).

Radio astronomy Vs interstellar colonization

While in the meantime, radio astronomy is the only useful method of human beings sending out messages out into the universes, states one researcher, just full-blown colonization of other stars is the only method to show the presence of smart life. “It appears that although radio interactions offer a natural ways for looking for extra-terrestrial intelligence for civilizations more youthful than a couple of centuries, older civilizations need to rather establish substantial programs of interstellar colonization,” stated Nicolas Prantzos, director of research study of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), in advance of Monday’s conference. “T his is the only method to accomplish sound proof, either for or versus the presence of extraterrestrial intelligence, within their life time.”

.

.

In 1960, Dr. Frank Drake at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia utilized the 25 – meter meal for his Task Ozma , in which he browsed 2 close-by stars called Epsilon Eridani (an artist’s impression visualized here) and Tau Ceti for indications of alien life. Getty

.

.

Why aliens might be really various from human beings

Why should they be even from another location comparable? “The environment on an exoplanet will enforce its own guidelines,” stated Roland Lehoucq, an astrophysicist who operates at the Commissariat à l’Énergie Atomique (CEA). “There is no pattern in biological development: the big series of different morphologies observed in the world renders any exobiological speculation unlikely, a minimum of for macroscopic ‘complex’ life.” Doubtful that human beings would have much in typical with extraterrestrial life kinds, Lehocq went over “our consistent anthropocentrism in our understanding and description of alien life” and how hard it is for human beings to picture extraterrestrial intelligence drastically various from ourselves.

In other words? We’re too self-obsessed to even picture extraterrestrial life, not to mention discover and interact with it, and if there’s not going to be evidence within our life times, we’re not interested. Exists smart life out there? Most likely, however we’ll most likely never ever discover it.

Wanting you clear skies and large eyes

Follow me on Twitter @jamieacarter , @TheNextEclipse or read my other Forbes short articles through my profile page

.

.