In a groundbreaking event, the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter beamed an encoded message to Earth, transmitted by SETI. The signal reached our planet 16 minutes later, sparking intrigue and anticipation.
In a simulation of extraterrestrial contact, the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, operated by the European Space Agency (ESA), transmitted an encoded message to Earth from its Martian orbit on Wednesday at 9:00 PM. This simulated scenario aims to prepare us for the potential reception of a genuine signal from an alien civilization.
Sixteen minutes after its transmission, the signal successfully reached Earth, bridging the gap between Mars and our planet.
"Humanity's quest for profound meaning in extraordinary occurrences has persisted throughout history. According to Daniela de Paulis, the visionary artist behind the 'A Sign in Space' project, receiving a communication from an alien civilization would undoubtedly be a transformative event for all of humanity."
As an Artist in Residence at the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute, Paulis has assembled a remarkable consortium of global specialists, including space scientists and artists, to collaborate on an innovative initiative. Their objective is to delve into the intricate process of deciphering and comprehending an extraterrestrial message, exploring the vast realm of possibilities it presents.
(The provided image is a color scan of a computer printout replica, taken years after the noteworthy "Wow!" signal was initially detected in 1977. Photo- Jerry R. Ehman)
"We’re asking individuals and groups to take part in decoding and interpreting the content of the message. The decoding and interpretation process will determine both the technical and cultural content of the message," the project website read.
“This experiment is an opportunity for the world to learn how the SETI community, in all its diversity, will work together to receive, process, analyze, and understand the meaning of a potential extraterrestrial signal,” said ATA Project Scientist Dr. Wael Farah.