CAN WE read the minds of alien people living in far away solar systems? At least one space scientist thinks we can. His guess is that if aliens are trying to get in contact with us, they will send their signals at particular points in the Earth鈥檚 orbit around the Sun (see 鈥淲hen to expect that long-distance call鈥�). If he鈥檚 right about their strategy, we鈥檒l know when and in which direction to listen out and have a much better chance of getting in contact.
Others have suggested that aliens might synchronise their transmissions to giant astronomical events, such as gamma-ray bursts, on the assumption that astronomers of every civilisation will be getting excited about the same things. Indeed they might. But we ought to remember that astronomers don鈥檛 run this planet, and probably not many others either. While scientists might be intent on friendly exchange with alien beings, most interactions between civilisations on our own planet have led to one oppressing the other. If we are able to guess correctly how aliens think, it鈥檚 probably because they are a bit too like us.
By all means figure out how alien civilizations might contact us. Just let鈥檚 be very careful how we reply.
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