I can’t imagine that there is a single human being, no matter what their circumstances, who hasn’t looked out at the night sky and wondered what –or who–is out there? And many of us, I’m sure, have also wondered if there is anyone looking back at us and thinking the exact same thing. This was a recurrent theme for me as a star gazing child and remains with me today–except I haven’t considered the second half of that question in quite some time. Until now. Apparently there are a group of researchers–based on the premise of 2 astronomers from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research I Gottingen and McMaster University in Canada ( my home and native land:) ) – who are not only wondering if there are any extra-terrestrial astronomers looking back at us but are proposing that we should be pointing our telescopes at a very specific area of the sky where our planet would be visible to distant observers who might be searching for us. Or someone other than themselves. A recent article that I read on the EarthSky website ( their newsletter is very accessible and chalked full of current research and discoveries in this area and highly recommend it) lays it out nicely. Simply put: seeing as one of our main methods of searching for exoplanets outside of our solar system is to observe the dip in a star’s light when it transits ( passes in front of ) its star, it just makes sense ( when you think about it ) to focus our search on that specific area of the sky that could reside in Earth’s transit zone ( some 100. 000 stars according to the article). Of course, this brings me back to a point that will come up frequently in this discussion and that is the definition of “life”. It’s generally very broad –except in this case–it would be pretty specific. Any “life” that could detect our presence and send us a message would have technology and therefore be that rarest of commodities –intelligent life. As intelligent as us, at the least –and perhaps more even more intelligent than us. Now that is a concept to consider —what could we learn from them? What would be the first question we would to ask? For many–and for most people of faith–it might be “Do you believe in God? “or….what ( or who) is God? Might not be the best way to start off an introduction with such a lofty and existential question and we might want to stick to the usual “we come in peace” and then take it from there. What would you ask?
Reflecting on Edgar Mitchell’s passing
10 February 2016
Breakthrough Initiatives/ Listening and now looking for other life
13 April 2016
Oh ya… I am so in your camp on this subject. It’s not a matter of if but a matter of when. Brainwashed with a Catholic upbringing where we are the centre of the universe and alone in God’s likeness blah, blah, blah does not help science and exploration. Religion has probably set the human race back hundreds of years in discovery and technology. I am probably crossing lines into other blog topics / questions. Anyway, I would describe myself as spiritual rather than religious. Religions are man-made and full of human error and nonsense in one form or another. Creationists are going to have a hard time with the discovery of ET’s. But they will find a way to explain it in a way that satisfies their beliefs as they do with every aspect of science… as shown in the Hamm – Nye debates. Yikes… they are so close-minded. And Bill Nye is correct stating that they are depriving their children by raising them with creationist beliefs. Don’t get me started on this… I better get back on topic.
Back to the question… I think I would have to ask any ET’s watching us… how do you like us so far? Unfortunately, if they have been observing our news broadcasts, they may not like what they see.
I think that the Catholic Church has really broadened their view on this topic, especially with their legacy of the Vatican Observatory and hundreds of years of astronomical research. In 2008, the then director of the Vatican Observatory, Fr. Jose Funes, an Argentinian Jesuit and astronomer , said that he sees no conflict between the teachings of the Catholic Church and the possibility of alien life , adding that “we can’t put limits on God’s creative freedom.” Others may not agree but the current Pope Francis, is also a Jesuit and seemingly open minded on many topics, including this one. At the local level of the RC Church, I hear no discussion on this topic at all so it would seem that there is no official stand from the Church. But I found this promising. As for other faiths and religions, I have no idea as to what their doctrine says–hopefully someone will comment and let us know.