We Could Build a Powerful Laser and Let Any Civilizations Within 20,000 Light-Years Know We're Here. Although... Should We?

We Could Build a Powerful Laser and Let Any Civilizations Within 20,000 Light-Years Know We're Here. Although... Should We?

“I wanted to see if I could take the kinds of telescopes and lasers that we’re building today, and make a detectable beacon out of them.” James Clark, grad student, MIT Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

“If we were to successfully close a handshake and start to communicate, we could flash a message..." - James Clark, grad student, MIT Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

“With current survey methods and instruments, it is unlikely that we would actually be lucky enough to image a beacon flash, assuming that extraterrestrials exist and are making them.” - James Clark, grad student, MIT Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

"Whether or not this is a good idea, that’s a discussion for future work.” - James Clark, grad student, MIT Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Sources

  • MIT Press Release: "E.T., we’re home"

  • Research Paper: "Optical Detection of Lasers with Near-term Technology at Interstellar Distances"

  • Wikipedia Page: Boeing YAL-1"

  • Evan Gough

    Evan Gough

    Evan Gough is a science-loving guy with no formal education who loves Earth, forests, hiking, and heavy music. He's guided by Carl Sagan's quote: "Understanding is a kind of ecstasy."