Scientists have revealed how humans could make contact with aliens in outer space – and even stop an intergalactic war if successful.
Academics have compiled the most comprehensive ‘science of extraterrestrial language’ yet, designed to ensure any contact made with extraterrestrial life is friendly, and not perceived as hostile.
It was estimated in a 2020 study in the Astrophysical Journal that there are around 36 ‘advanced’ civilisations in the Milky Way Galaxy alone, although identifying or contacting any of them has so far remained out of humanity’s reach.
A new volume compiled by 25 leading experts in linguistics, anthropology, animal communications, philosophy, computer science and biology to ‘explore the potential nature of a non-terrestrial intelligence with linguistic capabilities’, the Times reports.
The paper is contributed to by the likes of Noam Chomsky, an American political and social scientist who is known as ‘the father of modern linguistics’.
Only Voyager and Voyager 2 (pictured) have successfully travelled out of our solar system
The volume’s editor, astrobiologist Dr Douglas Vakoch told the paper: ‘I’m optimistic. I think it’s realistic that we could in our lifetimes get a message through Seti (search for extraterrestrial intelligence) programmes or send out messages that could someday get a reply.’
For decades humanity has been investigating the possibility of other intelligent life in space, and has even sent out signals and communications in the hope of one day receiving something back.
This included sending the Voyager spacecraft beyond our solar system, loaded with a ‘Golden Record’ complete with greetings in 54 languages, animal greeting noises and even music.
The new research uses current understandings of human languages and the various ways in which animals communicate with the goal of working out how to ‘decode intentional communication from another world’.
Among the forms of contact humanity has so far tried includes the Golden Record
Scientists have previously concluded there is a slim but possible chance of successfully contacting alien life – but this paper highlights there are still huge steps needed on earth to increase humanity’s chances.
This could include decoding ancient languages that have not yet been translated, including Linear A, a writing system used by the Minoans of Crete up to 1,400BC and found on artefacts but never deciphered.
It is hoped academics could even create their own Rosetta stone, or pseudo translation manual, including key words which are likely to have meaning across space.
The authors suggest sending out a short, simple signal towards ‘a million star systems once a day’.
If alien contact is ever detected, they suggest humans should send the exact same message back as proof of receipt, before working to decipher the message.
This will involve looking for patterns in the transmission which could lead to the discovery of symbols.
But the scientists add that as it takes four years to reach the nearest star other than the Sun at the speed of light, communication will be slow. It may also be the case that other lifeforms have completely different body chemistries and methods of communication that humans cannot fathom.
Despite this, it is thought that any civilisation advanced enough to send out messages is likely to share crucial features such as ‘tool use, symbol use, communication, culture-making and curiosity’.
The volume says this means ‘many features of human language may be shared with extraterrestrials’, adding: ‘Our attempts at parsing alien messages are more likely to meet with success if we can begin with simple messages and work our way up.’
If this approach is not taken, it is feared that any relationship with alien life will remain ‘akin to castaways waving to each other from separate islands, aware of each other’s existence but never able to know more’.
